HR0149 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0149 LRB095 11449 KXB 32378 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The contribution of the people from Wales to the State of Illinois is an important part of our State's history; and

WHEREAS, The Welsh-American contribution to the State of Illinois is as old as the State itself; from Illinois' early beginnings to the modern day, Welshmen have made significant contributions and have turned up in the most unlikely scenarios, such as becoming the first President of the town of Chicago (Thomas Jefferson Vance Owen), designing churches and homes (such as our own Frank Lloyd Wright), and founding charities and homeless shelters (Pastor Elam Davies) to help Illinois' poorest neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS, In the early days of Illinois the Welsh and descendants of Welsh people, though their numbers were not great, had an influential role in shaping the State; some of the State's most prominent early politicians were of Welsh heritage, and include Ninian Edwards, Jesse B. Thomas, Thomas Jefferson Vance Owen, David Davis, Albert J. Hopkins, J. Hamilton Lewis, Thomas Langrell Harris, Thomas L. Owens, Edward J. Hughes, John Thomas, Louis 0. Williams, John Broderick, Buckner S. Morris, Alexander Lloyd, and John P. Hopkins; and

WHEREAS, Many Illinois towns, cities, and counties are named either by or for Welsh people, including Berwyn, Cambria, Edwardsville, Evanston, Evansville, Harrisburg, Harristown, Henry, Hopkins Park, Jonesboro, Milford, Monmouth, Morris, Mount Morris, Norris City, Rogers Park, St. David, Swansea, Taylor Springs, Taylorville, Thomasboro, Williamsville, Edwards County, Jo Daviess County, and Morgan County; and

WHEREAS, At the Chicago Columbian Exposition of 1893, Chicago was the site of the first Eisteddfod (a Welsh choral competition with a history spanning many centuries) held outside of Wales; the Rhondda Glee Society Choir won first prize in the choral singing competition at the Eisteddfod, in a contest against choirs from all over the world, including the world famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir; and

WHEREAS, Chicago's most famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, was born to Welsh immigrant parents from Cardiganshire, mid-Wales; he was born in 1867 and grew up in a Welsh speaking community in Wisconsin near Spring Green; one quarter of all buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright are in Illinois, including The Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio in Oak Park, parts of the Rookery building, the Dana Thomas House in Springfield, the E-Z Polish Factory, and the Abraham Lincoln Center, which was designed for the Welsh reverend Jenkin Lloyd Jones; and

WHEREAS, Wales is famous for its actors and musicians such as Anthony Hopkins, Catherine Zeta Jones, Tom Jones, Christian Bale, and Ioan Gruffudd to name but a few; Illinoisans of Welsh descent have also made their presence known in entertainment and public life, including comedian and actor Robin Williams, Chicago news reporter and host of 190 North, Janet Davies, director and producer John Hughes, Six Feet Under star Richard Jenkins, and actress Denise Richards, are all of Welsh heritage; and

WHEREAS, St. David's Day has traditionally been celebrated in the Welsh communities by reading poetry, singing, and eating Welsh food; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we thank all of the persons of Welsh descent for their significant contributions to the State of Illinois; that we express appreciation for those persons who have kept alive Welsh culture and traditions; and we join with all the citizens of the State of Illinois who revere their Welsh heritage by proclaiming St. David's Day on March 1, 2007, and each year thereafter in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.