HR1358 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1358 LRB099 22407 GRL 49826 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to honor the Summit Community Task Force Inc. for its work in the Summit community; and

WHEREAS, The Summit Community Task Force was organized in 1992 by Wheeler and Marvel Parker along with a group of concerned citizens in the Village of Summit to address a number of critical issues, chiefly illegal drug and gang activity affecting children and families in their largely African-American neighborhood and to take ownership of their neighborhood; and

WHEREAS, The Summit Community Task Force seeks to build a better community, create a sense of community for Summit residents and a safe and healthy environment for living and learning, and to improve quality of life by providing lifelong learning opportunities in health, culture, recreation, and education; and

WHEREAS, In 1997, the Summit Community Task Force purchased a dilapidated building on 64th Street; in an effort to assist in acquiring a headquarters for the Task Force, the Summit Village administration transferred ownership of three vacant lots on 76th Avenue for $10; in 1998, the organization applied for and received a HUD-CDBG construction grant for $227,000; a grant from the Community Memorial Foundation was received to hire an architect and Novotny Engineers provided their services pro bono; in November of 2001, construction was completed on a $372,000 facility known as the Summit Community Task Force Community Service Center, which was later renamed the Emmitt Till Center; the center allows the organization to consolidate its various training programs; and

WHEREAS, The Summit Community Task Force offers numerous activities that target youth, such as Boy Scout and Cub Scout troops, as well as programs focused on strengthening the family, drug and alcohol prevention, life skills training, and parenting; there are also programs for seniors, including the Seniors On The Move group; and

WHEREAS, The Summit Community Task Force has helped to empower many individuals in Summit to meet the challenges of life events and transitions by creating and reinforcing practices that promote healthy behavior and lifestyles; the organization has also generated funds and created new opportunities for individuals and families to make constructive changes and has provided opportunities to define problems, implement changes, and protect solutions; and

WHEREAS, The Summit Community Task Force is committed to excellence, with a clear vision and passion for delivering outstanding results; the Task Force has proven the great effectiveness of youth-focused, community-based programs and has demonstrated that community outreach programs that are developed and managed by a community, for a community, make a striking impact; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor the Summit Community Task Force Inc. for its work in the Summit community and wish for continued success in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Summit Community Task Force Inc. as a symbol of our esteem and respect.