HR1236 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1236 LRB094 20376 HSS 58513 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, In 1976, Kurt Mathiasson, one of the leaders of the Andersonville community and a Swedish immigrant, fulfilled his dream to preserve the Swedish-American heritage in Chicago by opening the Swedish American Museum Center; the first museum was a small storefront log cabin in which family histories were collected; during the U.S. Bicentennial Year, His Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden, officially opened the Museum in its original location; and

WHEREAS, The Museum moved to its current location in 1987 and underwent a Phase I renovation; the King of Sweden returned to celebrate the new beginning of the Swedish American Museum Center; and

WHEREAS, The Museum completed its Phase II renovation in 1997, adding new gallery space and the donations of the Nordiska Museet exhibit to its permanent collection and display; and

WHEREAS, A grand staircase to the second floor permanent exhibit was completed in 2000-2001, and the new Children's Museum of Immigration for children ages 3 to 12 opened on the third floor; and

WHEREAS, The Museum presents four exhibits annually featuring contemporary Swedish art and Swedish arts and crafts and also offers Swedish language and folk dancing classes; and

WHEREAS, In 2004, the Swedish American Museum Center opened the Nordic Family Research Center, becoming the first American organization to provide online access to Swedish Church records from the 16th to the 20th centuries; and

WHEREAS, On April 23, 2006, the Swedish American Museum Center celebrated the organization's 30th anniversary year; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize The Swedish American Museum Center for its many contributions to the Swedish American community, and we hereby express our most sincere best wishes as it continues to fulfill its missions; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Swedish American Museum Center as an expression of our esteem and with best wishes for continued success.