HR1213 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1213 LRB094 20309 HSS 58393 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of this Body are honored to recognize significant milestones in the lives of the people of this State; and

WHEREAS, It has come to our attention that Mr. Washington D. Burney is celebrating the ninetieth anniversary of his birth; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Burney is a reputable community leader in the Chatham-Avalon area and an outstanding citizen in a number of civic organizations and programs for the benefit of people throughout the city of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, He was born in Eastman, Georgia, and moved to Chicago at an early age; he attended Wendell Phillips High School and Wilson Junior College; and

WHEREAS, He was a crusader in the late 1940s through his involvement in the Negro Labor Relations League; as a result of his dedication and zeal, the League was successful in securing jobs for African Americans in the bread, laundry, and beverage industries; he later became the first African-American driver/salesman for Anheuser-Busch in the area; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Burney is a founding member of the Chatham Avalon Park Community Council and served as president for 12 years; since 1955, he has been a devoted worker in the development of the community, participating in its politics and working continuously with the Council to achieve growing economic development and a great quality of life for residents in the Chatham community; and

WHEREAS, He was a successful fundraising chairman of the South Central Health Center and Chairman of the Neighbor Forum for the late Mayor Harold Washington and Mayor Eugene Sawyer; his best energy has also been devoted to many other community organizations including the Chicago Urban League, NAACP, and Operation PUSH; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Burney's service to religious and not-for-profit sectors is exemplified by his current status as member of the Trustee Board of Park Manor Congregational Church, former Chairman of the Board, Vice-Chairman of the Men's Fellowship Committee, and president of the Usher Board of Good Shepherd Church; he was inducted into the Mayors' Senior Citizens Hall of Fame in 1987; and

WHEREAS, He is a respected member of the Chatham Avalon Park Community Council and the Chatham Business Association; he has taken a leading advisory part in the rebuilding of the mall at 87th and Cottage Grove and various other economic initiatives in the Chatham area; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Burney's career and service to his community have been highly productive, unselfish, and credible; while he sought no reward except the success of his efforts, his accomplishments have been attested to by the receipt of numerous awards from various appreciative organizations; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Mr. Washington D. Burney on the occasion of his ninetieth birthday, and we extend to him our sincere best wishes for the future; and be it further

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