HR0137 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0137 LRB101 11272 ALS 56619 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Mary Louise Lacey of Waukegan, who passed away on February 13, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Lacey was born in Sherard, Mississippi to Elizabeth Campbell and Joseph "Joe" Climons Sr. on March 17, 1938; she grew up with nine siblings, and her parents formed the Cradle Roll Singers; she recorded her first song, "If I Can Help Somebody" when she was 19 years old; she had many accomplishments in the musical arena as a world-renowned gospel and recording artist; she moved to Waukegan and traveled throughout the United States and Africa singing; at her annual concert at Shiloh Baptist Church in Waukegan, she had the honor of singing for First Lady Betty Ford; she also found success as a hat designer and beautician; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Lacey was an ordained Shepherdess, Evangelist, and Pastor; she received her Church of God in Christ ordination to minister the Gospel in 1989; she was admitted to The American Ministerial Association as an ordained minister in 1996; in 1997, she earned a doctorate from Trinity Seminary; after that, she organized Mary's Mission & Shelter Care; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Lacey assisted many Illinois Foster Program children through compassion and empowerment; in 2002, she began volunteering at the Lake County Jail, where she gave motivational talks to the inmates and would pray with those who chose to participate; and

WHEREAS, Most recently, Dr. Lacey was known for holding an annual Christmas parade from her mission to the Lake County jail, where she and volunteers would pass out hundreds of toys to the children of jail inmates, while also providing hams or turkeys to the families; in 2014, she called the parade "Bring Joy to the Jail," and she was joined by a coalition of church groups, elected officials, police chiefs, and citizens; and

WHEREAS, Among her significant achievements, Dr. Lacy received the 2008 Lake County Civil Rights Hall of Fame Award in recognition of service, dedication, and contributions to the Civil Rights movement; she was also awarded the Beyond the Call of Duty Award by AT&T, the Religious Worker's Guild's Humanitarian Award, the Patriot of the Year Award from the Help Hospitalized Veterans Association, the People's Most Influential African American Award, and the People's Voice Health and Human Services Award; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Lacey dedicated over 50 years of service as a humanitarian and community leader, inspiring others through kindness, thoughtfulness, and dedication to her community; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Dr. Mary Louise Lacey and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Dr. Lacey as an expression of our deepest sympathy.