HR1359 LRB095 21557 KXB 51406 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3 Representatives are pleased to recognize milestone events in
4 the history of organizations in the State of Illinois; and
 
5     WHEREAS, It has come to our attention that the St. Ambrogio
6 Mutual Benefit Society of Rockford is celebrating its 90th
7 anniversary this year; this social organization began at a club
8 at 802 Montague Street in Rockford on May 1, 1918; today, the
9 St. Ambrogio Club is the last remaining Italian social club in
10 south Rockford of many that existed there years ago; and
 
11     WHEREAS, Immigrants from Ferentino, Italy, an ancient hill
12 town founded in 4 B.C. southeast of Rome, organized the St.
13 Ambrogio Society for fellowship and assimilation assistance in
14 a new land that was often unwelcoming to them; the
15 "Americanization Hall", previously housed at St. Anthony of
16 Padua Church, was moved to the front of the St. Ambrogio
17 Society Club in the 1920s; the hall functioned as a school for
18 the early Italian immigrants of Rockford to instruct them on
19 the English language and American culture and customs;
20 accordingly, the club and hall are important parts of
21 Rockford's history and south Rockford landmarks; and
 
22     WHEREAS, The St. Ambrogio Club took its name in honor of

 

 

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1 the revered and martyred saint of Ferentino, Italy; so
2 important is St. Ambrogio to Ferentino's history that he is
3 codified in its municipal laws and two official annual city
4 holiday feasts with elaborate processions and fanfare
5 commemorate him; the St. Ambrogio Club of Rockford likewise
6 honors him with its annual festivities in August; and
 
7     WHEREAS, In recognition of the long-standing and enduring
8 ties that have existed between the people of Ferentino, Italy
9 and Rockford, Illinois, the two cities officially joined
10 together as Sister Cities on May 15, 2006; and
 
11     WHEREAS, The St. Ambrogio stands today as a vibrant social
12 club, with weekly fish frys, lunches, special events, meetings,
13 and hundreds of bocce players in summer leagues; with over 300
14 members ranging from age 16 to over 90 years old and an active
15 ladies' auxiliary, this club is vital to the revitalization of
16 south Rockford; the club welcomes all people and has been a
17 good neighbor and stabilizing influence on the Montague Street
18 neighborhood for 90 years; the club's banquet hall is rented by
19 people from all over the greater Rockford area for their
20 special functions and continues to draw people from throughout
21 the State for its assorted events and festivities; therefore,
22 be it
 
23     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE

 

 

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1 NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
2 congratulate the St. Ambrogio Society on the occasion of its
3 90th anniversary; and be it further
 
4     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
5 presented to the St. Ambrogio Society as an expression of our
6 esteem.