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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The George Cleveland Hall Branch of the Chicago
3 Public Library was named in honor of the late Dr. George
4 Cleveland Hall, a former member of the Chicago Public Library's
5 Board of Directors, activist, surgeon, and chief of staff for
6 Provident Hospital, who played a vital role in connecting the
7 African-American community with resources needed to learn,
8 live, thrive, and work; and
 
9     WHEREAS, Dr. George Cleveland Hall convinced a generous
10 philanthropist to support the library by donating funds to
11 purchase the property for a proposed library to serve a
12 predominately large African-American community located on the
13 south side of Chicago; and
 
14     WHEREAS, On January 18, 1932, the George Cleveland Hall
15 Branch Library opened to the public for service under the
16 direction of branch head Vivian Gordon Harsh, the first
17 appointed African-American librarian at the Chicago Public
18 Library and Charlemae Hill Rollins, a world-renowned
19 children's librarian, writer, and storyteller; and
 
20     WHEREAS, In 1984, the George Cleveland Hall Branch Library
21 was rededicated to the Bronzeville community after being
22 modernized and refurbished; the Branch maintained the

 

 

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1 integrity and beauty of the original architectural structure,
2 and added a new spacious Young Adult Reading Room; and
 
3     WHEREAS, In 2000, the George Cleveland Hall Branch Library
4 was named a National Literary Landmark by the Friends of the
5 Library, USA, and the Illinois Center for the Book because of
6 its close association with distinguished African-American
7 authors and writers; and
 
8     WHEREAS, In celebration of 75 years of public service to
9 the Bronzeville community and the City of Chicago, the Chicago
10 Public Library, George Cleveland Hall Branch, and the Vivian G.
11 Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and
12 Literature will present a series of informative, entertaining
13 and educational programs and exhibits examining
14 African-American culture and history; and
 
15     WHEREAS, The Chicago Public Library encourages and
16 supports all programs, services and activities associated with
17 the observance of the 75th "Diamond Jubilee" Anniversary;
18 therefore, be it
 
19     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
20 NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
21 congratulate the staff of the Chicago Public Library on the
22 75th anniversary of the George Cleveland Hall Branch; and we

 

 

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1 extend our sincere appreciation to the Chicago Public Library
2 administration and staff for their support and diligence in
3 public service; and be it further
 
4     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
5 presented to a representative of the George Cleveland Hall
6 Branch of the Chicago Public Library.