HR0340 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0340 LRB097 11781 GRL 54962 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to recognize the members of the Dorolyn Academy of Music for their work in the Oak Park community; and

WHEREAS, The Dorolyn Academy of Music was created by Dr. Dorothy L. Story-Bounds, who had a vision to insure the development of music as a basic means of expression for all people, especially children and youth, by providing a base of excellence through professional training at low cost and to provide a positive environment geared toward promoting self-expression, positive self-esteem, and self-discipline; on September 24, 1982, she opened the Dorolyn Academy's original facility, a 1,500 square-foot facility with 5 instruction studios, and began teaching her first 13 students under the watchful eye of 5 instructors; to ensure that the Academy would be an all-inclusive organization for the underserved of the community, she set the tuition to be only $5.00 per week; and

WHEREAS, As the Academy was not receiving federal or corporate funding, Dorolyn Academy has had to resort to creative fundraising methods, such as the "Pennies-from-Heaven Fund", which was spearheaded by Dr. Bounds, with the support of faculty, students, parents, and friends who contributed their savings of pennies to offset the Academy's overhead; and

WHEREAS, The Dorolyn Academy is most proud of the importance it places on giving back to the community; since 1990, the Academy has awarded numerous scholarships to outstanding students in instrumental and vocal performance, enabling them to pursue their music aspirations beyond Dorolyn; some of Dorolyn's outstanding students have performed in numerous musicals, including The Lion King, Showboat, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and The Color Purple, as well as the television show 7th Heaven and the movie The Little Rascals; and

WHEREAS, For many years, the Dorolyn Academy has given back to the community through the Broadway for Christ Youth Choir and Broadway for Christ Productions, which provided training in vocal and instrumental performance, technique, and decorum, as well as an avenue for positive self-expression, all at no cost; and

WHEREAS, Dorolyn Academy is the recipient of the State of Illinois Treasurer's Award in recognition of Outstanding Dedication and Commitment to the African-American Communities of Illinois, the Village of Oak Park's Nicholas Award for Community Commitment, and The Oak Park Area Arts Council's "Best of the Class" Award for Community Outreach; and

WHEREAS, The Dorolyn Academy continues to share its gifts with thousands from the communities of Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park, Austin, Garfield Park, Humboldt Park, and the entire Chicago metropolitan area; and

WHEREAS, Dorolyn Academy of Music has always recognized the importance of having a multi-cultural Board of Directors, faculty, and staff, in order to properly serve the multi-cultural communities it represents; and

WHEREAS, The members of the Dorolyn Academy of Music serve as models of hard work, integrity, and dedication for the people of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the members of the Dorolyn Academy of Music for their work in the Oak Park community and their commitment to giving back to their community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Dorolyn Academy of Music as a symbol of our esteem and respect.