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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are pleased to congratulate the members of the
4internationally-known rhythm & blues group, the Impressions,
5on the occasion of the group's 53rd anniversary; and
 
6    WHEREAS, The Impressions were discovered by the talented
7and award winning music artist Eddie Thomas; the group was
8originally named the Roosters until 1957, when Eddie Thomas
9convinced them to change their name to the Impressions; when
10the group was discovered by Eddie Thomas, the Impressions were
11composed of Jerry Butler, now a Cook County Board Commissioner,
12Sam Gooden, Curtis Mayfield, Arthur Brooks, and Richard Brooks,
13all of whom are natives of Chicago; and
 
14    WHEREAS, In 1958, the Impressions began their ascent in the
15music industry, entering the charts with hit after hit,
16including "Gypsy Woman", "It's All Right", "Keep on Pushing",
17and "People Get Ready"; the group also had a giant seller with
18Jerry Butler and the Impressions singing "For Your Precious
19Love"; eventually, Jerry Butler left the Impressions and began
20a solo career, with Fred Cash returning as one of the original
21Roosters to take his place; in 1970, Curtis Mayfield left the
22Impressions and began a successful solo career, which included
23successes such as the Superfly sound track; despite his

 

 

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1departure, Mayfield continued writing and producing for the
2Impressions; Leroy Hutson also joined the Impressions, but left
3in 1973; and
 
4    WHEREAS, The Impressions had three R & B Top Ten singles
5from 1974-1975, including "Finally Got Myself Together", "Same
6Things It Took", and "Sooner or Later"; and
 
7    WHEREAS, The Impressions have not forgotten their Chicago
8roots and have served as role-models for our youth and provided
9motivation for youth to become better educated; the group's
10activism has been a source of encouragement to the Rev. Harold
11E. Bailey, President of Probation Challenge, to continue in his
12efforts to assist troubled young people in Chicago, Cook
13County, and the State of Illinois as they endeavor to re-enter
14society, turn their lives around, and be tax payers instead of
15tax burdens; and
 
16    WHEREAS, The Impressions will celebrate the group's 53rd
17anniversary with a performance at Probation Challenge's 31st
18Annual "Portrait of Achievers Awards, Dinner and The Show of
19Shows" on August 20, 2010 at the Condesa del Mar Banquet
20Facility in Alsip; and
 
21    WHEREAS, The members of the Impressions serve as models of
22hard work, integrity, and dedication for the people of the

 

 

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1State of Illinois; therefore, be it
 
2    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
3NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
4congratulate the members of the Impressions on the occasion of
5the group's 53rd anniversary and wish them continued success
6and happiness in the future; and be it further
 
7    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
8presented to the members of the Impressions as a symbol of our
9esteem and respect.