093_HR0300

 
                                     LRB093 11809 HSS 15862 r

 1                          HOUSE RESOLUTION

 2        WHEREAS, The members of the House of  Representatives  of
 3    the  State  of  Illinois  wish  to  congratulate  the City of
 4    Atlanta on the occasion of its  Sesquicentennial  Celebration
 5    to be held May 23 to 26, 2003; and

 6        WHEREAS,  Atlanta  is  the northeasternmost city in Logan
 7    County; it was founded in 1853 along the right of way of  the
 8    Chicago  and  Alton  railroad;  Richard  Gill  moved to Logan
 9    County in 1852 from Pekin; early in 1853 upon hearing of  the
10    extension  of  the  railroad,  Mr. Gill purchased the land on
11    which Atlanta now stands; and

12        WHEREAS, On March 22, 1853, a survey  was  made  and  383
13    lots  were  platted;  the town was dedicated on April 7, 1853
14    and on June 22, 1853, lots were sold at auction; in the  next
15    five  years,  100  homes  and  500  people  were added to the
16    community; the town was originally  named  Xenia,  but  being
17    denied  a  post  office because of an already existing Xenia,
18    the name of Atlanta was eventually adopted; and

19        WHEREAS, Atlanta was incorporated under the town form  of
20    government  on  February  14,  1869;  a  special  act  of the
21    Illinois Legislature approved a charter creating the City  of
22    Atlanta;  the charter was approved by the voters on March 16,
23    1869, and a special election  held March 23, selected  Samuel
24    H. Fields to be the first Mayor of Atlanta; and

25        WHEREAS,  Atlanta  boasts  of  assets  not common to many
26    small  communities,  including  a  pharmacy,  grocery  store,
27    lumber yard, hardware store, florist shop,  and  dentist  and
28    doctor  offices;  a  developing sports complex, tennis court,
29    golf  course,  and  swimming   pool,   offer   leisure   time
30    opportunities;  a coming skate board park and a proposed hike
31    and bike trail will contribute greatly to the community; and
 
                            -2-      LRB093 11809 HSS 15862 r
 1        WHEREAS, The Sesquicentennial  Celebration  will  include
 2    Atlanta  Cemetery  walks  with  portrayers  of  city founder,
 3    Richard  Gill   and   five   other   key   residents   giving
 4    presentations; therefore, be it

 5        RESOLVED,   BY   THE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES  OF  THE
 6    NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS,  that
 7    we do hereby congratulate the City of Atlanta on the occasion
 8    of its Sesquicentennial Celebration; and be it further

 9        RESOLVED,  That  a  suitable  copy  of this resolution be
10    presented to the City of Atlanta as a token  of  our  respect
11    and  esteem  and  with  best wishes for many more anniversary
12    celebrations.