HR0816 LRB094 18620 HSS 53967 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, Misericordia Heart of Mercy, one of the State of
3 Illinois' most benevolent and widely respected not-for-profit
4 organizations, was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1921 on
5 the South Side of Chicago; and
 
6     WHEREAS, Originally a home that cared for unwed mothers,
7 the Sisters of Mercy saw a greater need in society and in 1954
8 changed Misericordia's mission to support individuals with
9 developmental disabilities; and
 
10     WHEREAS, Sister Rosemary Connelly joined Misericordia as
11 its Executive Director in 1969 and with the help of many
12 generous benefactors has turned Misericordia into a national
13 model, providing exceptional programs for persons living with
14 developmental disabilities; and
 
15     WHEREAS, In order to provide services for a growing number
16 of individuals, Misericordia moved in 1976 to the former Angel
17 Guardian Orphanage in Rogers Park on Chicago's Far North Side;
18 and
 
19     WHEREAS, Misericordia currently supports 550 children and
20 adults with mild to profound developmental disabilities from
21 all racial, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds; and
 
22     WHEREAS, Misericordia has been a true Godsend to many
23 families that otherwise would have been left alone to cope with
24 a vast array of demanding challenges; and
 
25     WHEREAS, Misericordia offers a wide range of programs and
26 treats the individual needs of each disabled person, offering
27 residential placement and day-to-day support, physical,
28 occupational, and music therapy as well as vocational and job
29 opportunities and health and fitness guidance; and
 

 

 

HR0816 - 2 - LRB094 18620 HSS 53967 r

1     WHEREAS, In the fall of 2005, Misericordia opened a
2 state-of-the-art skilled nursing residence, which provides
3 innovative care for individuals with developmental
4 disabilities and complex medical issues; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Misericordia has a waiting list of 600 disabled
6 persons, and it remains committed to the vision of further
7 growth while retaining the highest quality of care; and
 
8     WHEREAS, The hard work, sacrifice and dedication of
9 Misericordia Heart of Mercy serve as an example to all;
10 therefore, be it
 
11     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
12 NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
13 we recognize Misericordia Heart of Mercy for its many important
14 contributions to the quality of life of the developmentally
15 disabled in Illinois, and we hereby express our most sincere
16 best wishes as it continues to fulfill the highest and most
17 noble aspirations of its mission; and be it further
 
18     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
19 presented to Sister Rosemary Connelly, R.S.M., Executive
20 Director of Misericordia Heart of Mercy.