HR1064 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1064 LRB098 21147 MST 59015 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to honor the life of Pastor Wallace Wyatt Sykes of Second Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Sykes was born in Starksville, Mississippi on December 21, 1923 to the Reverend P.K. and Parkay Marie Sykes; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Sykes moved to Maywood in 1943 and began serving at Second Baptist Church as deacon, trustee, superintendent of the Sunday church school, director of the Baptist Training Union, director of the Shepherd Boys, and financial secretary of the church for 12 years; he also sang with the Gospel Chorus and The Sanctuary Choir; in 1957, while serving at Second Baptist Church and studying at the Chicago Baptist Institute, he entered the ministry and was ordained in 1961; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Sykes is a graduate of Crane Junior College in Chicago, Chicago Teachers College, the Chicago Baptist Institute, Elmhurst College, and holds an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree conferred upon him by the Board of Trustees of the Easonian Baptist Theological Seminary in Birmingham, Alabama in 1965; he has done postgraduate studies at Northeastern Illinois University and at the Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Lombard; and

WHEREAS, Second Baptist Church has accomplished a great deal under the direction and leadership of Pastor Sykes including: the establishment of The Hayden Memorial Educational Fund to give scholarships and assistance to boys and girls seeking to develop their potential go on to higher education, and Pam's Pennies, a fund-raising venture, created to serve as a companion to the Hayden Memorial Educational Fund; since both of these programs have been initiated, several hundred students have gone to college and been encouraged in both grade school and high school; in addition, The Maple Tree Child Learning Center was established for daycare and the development of children, and The Maple Tree Music Center was established to aid in the development of children and people interested in music; in January of 1997, he formed the Girl and Boy Scout Troops for neighboring children, and in May of 1999, the Maple Tree Child Learning Center upgraded its services by adding a Kindergarten class and after school and senior programs; he also established a computer literacy program and lab for students within the after school program and purchased a new van for members needing assistance who are in wheelchairs; in February of 2004, an additional program was instituted, The Children's Worship Hour; additional programs developed by the him include the establishment of The Talent and Tutoring Center, the School of Religion for biblical instruction and guidance, and The Second Community Crisis Center for individuals who have been displaced from housing; he also established the Food Ministry and Produce Mobile Ministry to feed the hungry; and

WHEREAS, Since 1961, property was purchased and a parking lot developed; in 1975, a new edifice with a sanctuary to accommodate the seating of 1200, 35 classrooms for teaching, a social hall, and music lab to accommodate 10 students and a teacher was erected with parking; under Pastor Sykes's leadership, the congregation also redeemed the property of Mrs. Maggie Walker, then 101 years old, in 1971; now 3 parking lots are available and used; in 2001, the church purchased additional property and named it The Assembly Children's Ministry of Second Baptist; in 2002, members encouraged the pastor to install an elevator for the senior members and the handicapped; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Sykes's additional pastoral duties include: visiting the sick and shut-in, providing food for those in need, funeral and burial services, marriage counseling, weddings, supervising of church activities, church administration, providing shelter and clothing for the needy, providing bus service for those needing transportation, and aiding students in school; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Sykes's family includes - his children, Patricia Jean, Dr. Bobby Wyatt (professor, University of New Mexico), George Anthony, Sherry Alysine (graduate, West Point), Robert Daniel (graduate, Georgetown University), and Brett Steward (graduate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology); grandchildren, Winston, Dina, Hasan, Deidre, Rhiannon Marie, Geovantie, Gavin, Ariel, and Jonathan Nigel; 3 great-grandchildren, Hillery, Morgan, and Brandi Nichole; 3 daughters-in-laws, Judy, Amy, and Diane and one son-in-law, Terrace; from his mother, the late Mrs. Parkay Marie Sykes, he received unending support and faithful guidance until the very end of her life; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Sykes is still moving forward as a pillar in the community, with ideas and plans for the future; this year marks the 52th year of him being the Pastor of The Second Baptist Church; on March 30, 2007, the 7th Congressional District of Illinois, under the leadership of Congressman Danny K. Davis, named the Maywood Post Office in his honor; and

WHEREAS, A celebration was held in honor of Pastor Sykes on April 25, 2014 at Second Baptist Church in recognition of his life and service; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor the life of Pastor Wallace Wyatt Sykes, and wish him the best in all his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Pastor Sykes as an expression of esteem and respect.