HR1205 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1205 LRB100 23351 MST 42372 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Quinn Chapel AME (Quinn Chapel) is the oldest African American church in Chicago, and it sits upon the first real estate owned by African Americans in the City; and

WHEREAS, Quinn Chapel AME is a member of the 4th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church, and stewards Quinn Chapel for its benefit; and

WHEREAS, Quinn Chapel AME has consistently and continuously served as an oasis and beacon of hope for African Americans of and around the Bronzeville community for over 175 years; and

WHEREAS, The building housing Quinn Chapel AME, located at 2401 South Wabash in Chicago, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places; it is designated as an Illinois and Chicago Landmark and holds many other historic designations; and

WHEREAS, Quinn Chapel AME served as a platform for early expression of African American culture; Frederick Douglas, George Washington Carver, Martin Luther King, and many other African American scholars and orators spoke from its pulpit; and

WHEREAS, Suffragette Susan B. Anthony advocated from Quinn's pulpit after being banned from speaking at the Columbian Exposition in 1893; and

WHEREAS, Quinn Chapel provides necessary services to the surrounding community through youth mentoring, societal reentry, and homeless outreach programs and initiatives, among others, as well as senior and supportive housing through its support of The Renaissance Collaborative and other housing providers; and

WHEREAS, Quinn Chapel is increasing its historic cultural service to the wider community through, without limitation, free historical education and tours by its Historic Preservation Ministry, community outreach through its Peace in the Streets Ministry, and by hosting cultural, educational, and social events through its External Hospitality Ministry; and

WHEREAS, Quinn Chapel is an integral and vital asset to the surrounding community as it evolves into a racially and economically diverse neighborhood and tourist hub; and

WHEREAS, Through congregational giving, along with multiple foundation and a few municipal and federal grants, Quinn has made significant progress on a comprehensive physical restoration that will further increase its ability to positively impact the surrounding community; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the historic and cultural significance of Quinn Chapel; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we applaud the significant and ongoing effort made by Quinn Chapel in helping to preserve this tangible aspect of its heritage; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's Office of Tourism and the Metropolitan Exposition Authority to consider including Quinn Chapel public tours and event space in their promotional materials for McCormick Square and Bronzeville; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Quinn Chapel as an expression of our esteem and respect.