HR1137 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1137 LRB096 21985 KXB 40166 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Reverend Dr. Claude S. Wyatt, Jr., Founding Pastor of the Vernon Park Church of God in Chicago, who passed away on April 11, 2010; and

WHEREAS, For over 40 years, Reverend Wyatt was a vital part of his community and was responsible for rehabilitating alcoholics and drug addicts, working with young people, gangs, and juveniles in trouble; he lived on Chicago's "Skid Row" for a small time as part of his special training as an urban pastor; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Claude Wyatt, Jr., at the request of the Ministry of Kingston, Jamaica, served in a series of evangelical and social outreach ministries for several years as a speaker and instructor; the Wyatt Day Care Center was established in honor of his work in Jamaica; and

WHEREAS, Through his association with the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Reverend Claude Wyatt, Jr. served as Chicago Director of the Ministerial Leadership Training Program for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC); he served as one of the organizers of Operation Breadbasket and Operation PUSH (People United to Serve Humanity); he was a board member of PUSH and a constituent for Urban Ministries for the Church of God, Anderson, Indiana; he was a member of the Chicago Urban League and a former member of the Chicago Baptist Institute; he served as a spiritual leader to Chicago Mayors Eugene Sawyer and Richard M. Daley; he also served as a resource person for various religious, community, and business groups; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Claude Wyatt, Jr., was the author of 2 unpublished books for the Anderson School of Theology, "Church Management and Finances" and "The Agony of What He Saw", and numerous articles; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Claude Wyatt, Jr., served as a delegate to the World Congress in Zurich, Switzerland; he has been honored on countless occasions for his pastoral, religious, and executive leadership; and

WHEREAS, In 1978, Reverend Claude Wyatt, Jr., was honored by the prestigious Blackbook Business and National Publication Agency and one of the Ten Outstanding Business and Professional Persons; on November 30, 1989, he was inducted into the DuSABLE Umbrella Alumni, Inc. Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Claude Wyatt, Jr., served in the ministry for over 44 years until his retirement in 2000; upon his retirement, the Vernon Park Church of God in Chicago named him the church's Founder and Pastor Emeritus in recognition of his role as the church's founding pastor; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Claude Wyatt, Jr., was preceded in death by his parents, Anna and Claude Wyatt Sr.; his son, Renaldo "Renny" Wyatt; his brothers, Henry, Calvin, and Reverend Lawrence Wyatt; and his sister, Marvie Banks; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Claude Wyatt, Jr., is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Reverend Dr. Addie L. Wyatt; his son, Reverend Claude L. Wyatt (Yvonne); his grandchildren, Allen L. Wyatt, Rene Wyatt-Hall (Joel), Brian K. Wyatt (BiBi), Sharon A. Wyatt, Darren Montgomery (Selinda), and Claudea Wyatt-Ellis (William); his 14 great-grandchildren; his 4 great-great-grandchildren; his nieces, Wylynn Banks, Sherilyn Wyatt-Wickes (Keith), Bathsheba Wyatt-Draper, Jerri Wyatt-Hoover, and Terri Wyatt; his nephews, Ronald Wyatt (Sylvia), Paul Wyatt (Lucinda), and Max Wyatt; his sisters-in-law, Maude McKay (Robert), Laura Cameron-Cobb, and Artelia Wyatt; his brother-in-law, Jerome Dandridge; his god-daughter, Reverend VaCountess Johnson; and his special and devoted friend, Rev. Dr. Willie Taplin Barrow; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Claude Wyatt, Jr., served as a shining beacon of piety, compassion, and integrity for countless people and inspired many to enter the ministry and do great things for God; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Reverend Dr. Claude S. Wyatt, Jr.; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Reverend Claude S. Wyatt, Jr., as an expression of our sympathy.