HR0809 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0809 LRB098 19607 MST 54801 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate the Vandalia Chamber of Commerce on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of its founding; and

WHEREAS, The Vandalia Chamber of Commerce was incorporated on April 3, 1914 in the City of Vandalia and will have served the community for an entire century on April 3, 2014; and

WHEREAS, The mission of the Vandalia Chamber of Commerce is to serve its member businesses by encouraging and supporting business growth, economic development, tourism, and networking opportunities; and

WHEREAS, In advancing the interests of business professionals and service organizations in the area, the Vandalia Chamber of Commerce serves a vital role in the development and promotion of economic activity in Vandalia, enhancing the quality of life of its residents; and

WHEREAS, The organization's founding officers included President Charles Evans, Vice-President Herbert Sonnemann, and Secretary-Treasurer N.C. Gochenour; and

WHEREAS, The founding members included: Mayor C.A. Janett, Judge George T. Turner, J.V. Waddell, Joseph C. Burtschi, Ira D. Lakin, P.T. Denny, J.S. Ritter, Nathan Levin, H.H. Sonnemann, J.S. Carp, George A. Kurtz, N.C. Gochenour and C.A. Evans; and

WHEREAS, In its nascent years, the Vandalia Chamber of Commerce supported the community in its classic roles such as the recruitment of business and industry to Vandalia, but the it served a larger role, being involved in nearly every civic and social function in the town; and

WHEREAS, In 1922, the Vandalia Chamber of Commerce acquired a new building, suitable for offices, and a public library for Vandalia; and

WHEREAS, The Vandalia Chamber Commerce headed a drive to build a new railroad depot in Vandalia and found success, providing for service on the Illinois Central and Pennsylvania railroads in 1924; and

WHEREAS, The Vandalia Chamber of Commerce raised the necessary funds for the erection of Mark Greer Hospital in 1925 and another local hospital in 1955; and

WHEREAS, The Vandalia Chamber of Commerce has attracted and facilitated the development of numerous prominent businesses in the past, including: the Hart-Carter Company in 1953, the Crane Packing Company in 1955, the United Wood Heel Company in 1961, and the Benner Nawman Company in 1968; and

WHEREAS, In 1978, Marie Bristow became the first woman to serve as president of the organization; and

WHEREAS, The Vandalia Chamber of Commerce remains very active to this day, sustained by approximately 200 member businesses; and

WHEREAS, Current officers of the Vandalia Chamber of Commerce include: President Greg Starnes of Fayette County Hospital, Vice-President Brock Brannon of FNB/ Investment Centers of America, Secretary John Ashdown of Family YMCA of Fayette County, Treasurer Todd Stapleton of WPMB/WKRV Radio and past President Ben Timmermann; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the Vandalia Chamber of Commerce be commemorated for achieving the epic milestone of a century of business and public service; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Vandalia Chamber of Commerce as an expression of our esteem and respect.