HR0726 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0726 LRB094 15067 AMC 50218 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Church of St. Edmund (King and Martyr) is celebrating its 100th anniversary of bringing Christ into the lives of God's people; and

WHEREAS, In 1905, the Church of St. Edmund (King and Martyr), then known as the Washington Park Mission, held its first services in a basement room at 55th Street and Wabash Avenue; in 1906, the name was changed to St. Edmunds Mission and, because of its rapid growth, the church moved to 5831 S. Indiana, where, under the leadership of Father Samuel J. Martin, the church grew; eventually, the church acquired a new facility at its current location, 6105 S. Michigan; and

WHEREAS, As the church grew, they established the St. Edmund's Parochial School and the St. Edmund's Credit Union and constructed the Father Samuel J. Martin Annex; during this time, the Father Samuel J. Martin Foundation was formed to provide a permanent endowment to help maintain St. Edmund's; and

WHEREAS, In 1989, Rev. Dr. Richard L. Tolliver became the rector of St. Edmund's; under his expert guidance, St. Edmund's has made tremendous strides; he organized the St. Edmund's Redevelopment Corporation, which has provided hundreds of units of affordable housing for families in the Washington Park Community; and

WHEREAS, The church prayerfully and joyfully celebrated its 100th Anniversary with an Opening Ceremony patterned after the Olympics and a solemn Mass; an African Diaspora Festival; a Lenten Renewal Lecture Series; a Spring Fundraising Luncheon; a golf tournament; a centennial cruise to the Bahamas; and a Homecoming weekend featuring a Jazz Brunch and a Jazz Mass; in December, the church will hold a special Closing Ceremony, including the passing of the torch to the younger generation, a solemn Mass, and a gala reception; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Church of St. Edmund (King and Martyr) on its 100th Anniversary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy be presented to the rector of the Church of St. Edmund (King and Martyr), Rev. Dr. Richard L. Tolliver.