HR0254 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0254 LRB101 11921 MST 58992 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Boys and Girls Clubs of America is a national organization of local chapters which provide after-school programs for young people; and

WHEREAS, The first Boys' Club was founded in 1860 in Hartford, Connecticut by three women, Elizabeth Hamersley, Mary Goodwin, and Alice Goodwin, who believed that boys who roamed the streets should have a positive alternative focusing on character development; and

WHEREAS, In 1906, 53 independent Boys' Clubs came together in Boston to form a national organization; the organization changed its name in 1990 to Boys and Girls Clubs of America to recognize the fact that girls are a part of the cause; and

WHEREAS, Boys and Girls Clubs of America has grown to include over 4,000 autonomous clubs in all 50 states as well as Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and U.S. military bases; together, these local clubs serve four million boys and girls each year, and the organization employs over 50,000 staff members; and

WHEREAS, One of those local clubs, the Boys and Girls Club of Livingston County, was formed in January of 2018 when the separate clubs in Pontiac and Fairbury joined forces, giving members the opportunity to attend club functions in both locations; and

WHEREAS, The Boys and Girls Club of Livingston County seeks to enable all young people, especially those in great need, to reach their potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens; and

WHEREAS, The Boys and Girls Club of Livingston County accomplishes this through after-school programs featuring sports, games, volunteer opportunities, goal setting, and leadership training, all under the care of trained staff members; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we commend the positive work being done by the Boys and Girls Club of Livingston County, as well as the national organization, and we join them in celebrating national Boys and Girls Club Week, April 8-12; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the director of the Boys and Girls Club of Livingston County as a symbol of our respect and esteem.