HR0892 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0892 LRB096 19862 GRL 35318 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to honor the memory of Percy Baker Jr. of Peoria for his many years of dedicated service to his community; and

WHEREAS, Percy Baker Jr. worked at the Carver Center in Peoria for 32 years, serving as director for 13 of those years; during his tenure, he initiated programs such as the Toy Shoe Drive, Biddy Basketball, the Carver Senior Club, the After-School Program, Summer Camp, the center's Head Start Program, Cocaine Anonymous, the IRS Tax Counseling Project, and the Kings of Court; and

WHEREAS, Percy Baker Jr. passed away in 2008 after a courageous battle against systolic heart failure; during his battle, he became a spokesman for organ donation, helping to encourage the African-American community to become organ donors; and

WHEREAS, The Peoria Park Board renamed two city blocks of Third Street in Peoria after Percy Baker Jr. in honor of his many years to the Carver Center and to his community; and

WHEREAS, The naming of these city blocks in honor of Percy Baker Jr. ensures that his legacy of compassion and generosity will be fondly remembered for many generations to come; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor the memory of Percy Baker Jr. for his many years of dedicated service to his community and congratulate his family on the occasion of the naming of two city blocks of Third Street in Peoria after him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Percy Baker Jr. as a symbol of our esteem and respect.