HR0263 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0263 LRB094 11829 CSA 44175 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Rev. Mack Rossie Lemons of East St. Louis celebrates his golden anniversary and retirement on April 10, 2005; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Lemons is seventy-eight years old, has preached for 69 years, and has served as Pastor of Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church for 50 years; and

WHEREAS, On April 4, 1927, Mack Rossie was born to Dewitt and Azzie Lemons; on April 2, 1936, when he was 9 years old, he accepted his call into the ministry; he pastored and built his first church at the age of 16; and

WHEREAS, On March 23, 1955, Rev. Lemons became Under-Shepherd and Teacher for Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church in East St. Louis; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Lemons is not only a pastor but a servant in his community; he has helped to facilitate the welfare of residents, excellent business and employment opportunities, and quality education in East St. Louis Public Schools where he taught and administered a Chapter 2 Program; he was instrumental in acquiring civil rights for all people; he also served as moderator, president, and teacher for New Salem District Association, an association of over 40 area churches; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Lemons is a great encourager, loves people, and accumulates children wherever he walks, no matter what race or color; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Rev. Lemons on the occasion of his 50th anniversary as Pastor of Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church in East St. Louis, we thank him for his service to the community, and we wish him all the best in his retirement; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Rev. Lemons as an expression of our admiration and esteem.