HR1491 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1491 LRB099 23983 MST 51561 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize the life of Jerry Trecek; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Trecek and his family settled in Peoria 48 years ago; he began working as a youth pastor in a local church and as the morning supervisor at Peoria Rescue Mission; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Trecek has spent the last 45 years as Executive Director of Peoria Rescue Ministries, ensuring the availability of hundreds of thousands of hot meals and warm beds to the homeless; he has provided support and education to expectant mothers and provided housing for women who were transitioning out of prison and their families; and

WHEREAS, Under the direction of Jerry Trecek, Peoria Rescue Ministries has grown from a few people working in a small building to a ministry of five locations in Peoria and two in eastern Europe, with more than 50 employees, hundreds of volunteers, and annual revenues of more than three million dollars; in 2015, the ministry logged more than 70,000 meals served for an average cost of six cents each and nearly 28,000 nights of lodging through its multiple programs; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Trecek helped start Victory Acres; he oversaw the opening of the Barnabas Center, the Women's Pregnancy Center, the Ester House, and a thrift store; and

WHEREAS, After 48 years, Jerry Trecek says it feels like it was "just yesterday" when he took his position with Peoria Rescue Ministries and began helping those in need; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the life of Jerry Trecek and all he has done for the Peoria community, and we wish him the best in all his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Jerry Trecek as an expression of our esteem and respect.