HR0292 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0292 LRB099 11539 MST 32891 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Bishop Horace E. Smith, M.D. on the occasion of his 35th anniversary with Apostolic Faith Church; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Smith was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago; he graduated from Lindblom High School and received his Bachelor of Science from Chicago State University in 1971 and his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Illinois Medical Center in 1975; he completed his Pediatric Residency with the University of Illinois Hospital in 1978 and his Clinical Fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology with the Children's Memorial Hospital at Northwestern University in 1980; and

WHEREAS, On March 28, 1980, Bishop Smith became Pastor of the Apostolic Faith Church; under his leadership, the congregation has grown from 200 members to 7,000; each year his ministry provides assistance by way of food and supplies to over 4,000 homeless families around the Chicago area, a scholarship program that grants more than $100,000 each year, visitations to nursing homes, outreach to correctional facilities, and a JobSource program, which to date has assisted more than 1,000 individuals in obtaining employment; and

WHEREAS, In August of 2004, Bishop Smith was elevated to the office of Presiding Bishop of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc.; the P.A.W. has over 1.5 million members worldwide, including in Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand; his humanitarian endeavors reach beyond the shores of the United States to support missions in all parts of Africa through his partnership with World Vision USA, where he serves as a board member; under his leadership, Apostolic Faith Church provides resources for the drilling of wells and they provide food, clothing, education, medical assistance, and other goods and services; over 2,000 children have been sponsored by the church through World Vision USA; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Smith has served as Director of the Comprehensive Sickle Cell/Thalassemia Program at Children's Memorial Hospital for over 20 years; he is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine and is recognized world-wide as an outstanding pediatrician; he has been honored by numerous organizations, including the Children's Miracle Network, and has been featured in local and national newspapers, magazines, and on television; he currently serves on the boards of the historic Wabash YMCA, the Family Institute at Northwestern University, and the University of Chicago Cancer Research Center-Community Health Advisory Board; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Smith has been happily married to Susan (nee Davenport) since 1976; they have 3 daughters, Lauren (Brian) Elrod, Rachel (Courtney) Horton, and Emily (Patrick) Green and 4 grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Bishop Horace E. Smith, M.D. on his 35th anniversary with Apostolic Faith Church and wish him many more wonderful years; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Bishop Smith as an expression of our esteem and respect.