HR0282 LRB094 11822 CSA 44149 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, Jack King, a Chicago firefighter, took a
3 disability pension from the fire department in 1980 as a result
4 of lung damage from fighting fires; and
 
5     WHEREAS, At the same time, he checked himself into a
6 halfway house in Maywood for a year to overcome his drinking
7 problem; he attributes the halfway house with saving his life;
8 and
 
9     WHEREAS, He was born on November 9, 1930; he had five
10 brothers, Bill, Tom, Mike, Buddy, Jimmy (deceased), and one
11 sister, Dee Dee; his mother passed away when he was 13 years
12 old and he worked as well as went to school; after serving with
13 the Navy, he became a Chicago firefighter, as did his five
14 brothers; at one time, Mr. King and all of his brothers served
15 on the Chicago Fire Department; and
 
16     WHEREAS, He married and had eight children, Kathy, Kelly,
17 Eileen, Colleen, John, Jerry, Patty, and Maureen; and
 
18     WHEREAS, In 1987, Jack King opened Guildhaus to help fellow
19 alcoholics; he sought the help of the Mayor of Blue Island and
20 knocked on 250 doors in the neighborhood to educate people
21 about the halfway house; the Guildhaus opened with beds for 17
22 residents and now holds 33 men; there are also two recovery
23 homes located in Blue Island that hold a total of 24 men; and
 
24     WHEREAS, Over the past 17 years, he has helped thousands of
25 men find their way to a sober, productive life; he has given up
26 a big part of his own personal life because of his dedication
27 to Guildhaus; although he is now retired, he will remain an
28 integral part of Guildhaus; Mr. King will also remain a member
29 of the Illinois Association of Extended Care and the American
30 Halfway House Association Program; and
 

 

 

HR0282 - 2 - LRB094 11822 CSA 44149 r

1     WHEREAS, If it had not been for his dedication, Guildhaus
2 would never have been possible; as Mr. King is fond of saying,
3 "Yagottawanna"; therefore, be it
 
4     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
5 NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
6 we congratulate Jack King on the occasion of his retirement, we
7 thank him for founding and remaining dedicated to the mission
8 of Guildhaus, and we wish him all the best in his future
9 endeavors; and be it further
 
10     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
11 presented to Jack King as an expression of our admiration and
12 esteem.