HR0341 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0341 LRB103 32650 LAW 62348 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate MajorBelle (Brown) James on the occasion of her 100th birthday on May 17, 2023; and

WHEREAS, MajorBelle James was born to Dock and Rosa Brown in Belzoni, Mississippi on May 17, 1923; she was the only daughter of five siblings, including Hosea, William, Earl, and Alfred; and

WHEREAS, MajorBelle James attended Forestville and Willard grammar schools, and she graduated 8th grade from Willard; she graduated from DuSable High School in 1941; and

WHEREAS, MajorBelle James married John Velry James on May 3, 1943; they had one child, Rochelle James, who was born on October 31, 1943; they enjoyed 49 years of marriage until his passing on August 30, 1992; and

WHEREAS, For 41 years, MajorBelle James was employed at Curtis Candy, known today as Nabisco, from 1947 until she retired in 1988; and

WHEREAS, MajorBelle James attended and was baptized at both Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church and Corpus Christi Catholic Church, becoming a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church at 15 years old; she formerly attended St. Ambrose Catholic Church and now attends St. Josephine Bakhita Parish; she was a member of The Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary; and

WHEREAS, MajorBelle James has enjoyed cooking, especially baking cakes, and dancing; her hobbies have included videography, photography, and astrology; and

WHEREAS, MajorBelle James is the aunt of well-known singer Donny Hathaway, the son of her oldest brother, Hosea; and

WHEREAS, MajorBelle James is the grandmother of four, with one preceding her in death; the great-grandmother of 10, with one preceding her in death; the great-great-grandmother of 10; and the great-great-great grandmother of one; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate MajorBelle (Brown) James on celebrating her 100th birthday; and be it further

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