HJ0021 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0021 LRB097 10790 KXB 51667 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Rev. Dr. Isaac Singleton, who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Isaac Singleton was one of the most influential spiritual leaders of our time; he dedicated his entire life to making a difference for mankind; during the 50's and 60's, Dr. Singleton played a major role in the civil rights movement, marching alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; Dr. Singleton shared Dr. King's dream, his vision, and the struggle for equality; and

WHEREAS, As a result of believing right is right and wrong is wrong, he gained national recognition for his efforts in the civil rights movement; Dr. Singleton was known throughout the world as a leader for all people; he was also recognized as one of the most prolific speakers/teachers of the gospel; for over four decades, Dr. Singleton spread the good news of Jesus Christ around the world; for nearly 50 years, he served as the pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Joliet; and

WHEREAS, Prior to pastoring Mt. Zion, Dr. Singleton pastored the Russell Street Church in East St. Louis, and he pastored the Colette Street Church in Danville; under his leadership at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, membership grew from 100 to 2,000 members; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Singleton served as president for the Metropolitan Alliance Council (MAC); he was the founder and past president of the Joliet Affiliate Rainbow/P.U.S.H. Coalition; he served as the religious coordinator for the Illinois Rainbow/P.U.S.H. and as an active National Board Member; he was also the founder of the Hill Memorial Center of Joliet; and

WHEREAS, In 1986, Dr. Singleton was one of 150 African-American pastors invited to the White House by former President Ronald Reagan to consult on civil rights issues; Dr. Singleton served the community, State, and nation in many capacities, including serving as a former trustee for the Will County Regional Education Board, a member of the Joliet Township High School Foundation, an appointee to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Advisory Council by former Governor James Thompson (served 12 years and was chairman for two terms), Board of Directors of the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry (served one year as vice president), a board member on the Economic Commission of Will County Downtown Redevelopment, President of the Baptist General State Congress of Christian Education of Illinois, instructor of the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education-USA, vice president of the National Baptist Congress, superintendent of Human Relations of the Baptist General State Convention of Illinois for 25 years, and moderator of the Lebanon Baptist District Association; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Singleton received many honorary distinctions, including inductions into the Who's Who Among Black Americans and the Joliet/Will County Hall of Pride; he was awarded the honor of having a street named after him (Singleton Place), and the board room within the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry is also named in his honor (The Rev. Isaac Singleton Room); and

WHEREAS, Dr. Singleton was also the recipient of the Joliet Chamber Lifetime Achievement Award; he was also awarded the Community Relations Award from the city of Joliet (1970), the Distinguished Citizen Award from Lewis University (1975), the Outstanding Dedication to Service in Education from the Educational Service Region of Will County, and the Community Leader of American National Editors of America Award (1969); and

WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Isaac Singleton is survived by his wife, the former Pearlie B. Dexter; his six children; his 19 grandchildren; his 8 greatgrandchildren; and his 4 great-great grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Rev. Dr. Isaac Singleton; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Rev. Dr. Isaac Singleton as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.