HR0053 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0053 LRB100 08272 MST 18374 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The teachers, parents, and pupils of St. Mary Immaculate School in Plainfield are part of a growing, 62-year-old institution of spiritual life and education; and

WHEREAS, For many years, Catholic parishioners in Plainfield had hoped and dreamed that a school could be founded to teach and provide guidance for their children and youth; this dream began to become a reality with the period of peace that followed the end of the Korean War in 1953; a six-acre tract of land was purchased in October of 1953, and ground was broken in November of 1954; and

WHEREAS, A six-room school building with 167 students and a faculty of four teachers, opened and commenced operations in September of 1955; and

WHEREAS, St. Mary's School was officially dedicated on May 13, 1956 by Bishop Martin D. McNamara; and

WHEREAS, On a day that those connected with St. Mary's School will never forget, August 28, 1990, a category F5 tornado struck Plainfield; at St. Mary's, the death toll included the names of Principal Sr. Mary Keenan, Gloria Sanchez, and Howard Hawes Jr.; and

WHEREAS, In line with the historic commitment of Catholic parishes and schools to community service, St. Mary's came together in the wake of this tragedy to provide a base of support for the stricken community, which was mourning the deaths of 29 neighbors and friends; and

WHEREAS, The parish of St. Mary's came together to rebuild their church and school; the new school opened in the fall of 1993; and

WHEREAS, A new period of spiritual and physical growth began for St. Mary's School in the wake of this damage and tragedy; many new families came to the Plainfield area with a desire for spiritual life and education; the effects of this period of growth have continued to 2017; in a recent count, St. Mary's School had more than 550 pupils, more than tripling the startup enrollment in September of 1955; and

WHEREAS, The school affirms that its focus on faith enables its teachers to help students connect with and embody the Catholic faith through daily Bible readings, prayer, and classroom instruction; and

WHEREAS, The Catholic schools of Illinois currently provide students with an education that emphasizes the formation of moral values and commitment to community service; and

WHEREAS, The welfare of Illinois requires that this and future generations of school-age children be assured ample opportunity to develop their intellectual capacities to the fullest; and

WHEREAS, National Catholic Schools Week runs from January 29 to February 4, 2017; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the St. Mary Immaculate Parish School as a community of faith, knowledge, and service; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to John Garvey, Principal of St. Mary Immaculate Parish School.