HR0887 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0887 LRB096 20126 GRL 35662 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Reverend Richard D. McCreary II on the occasion of his 30th anniversary as Pastor of the New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church in Phoenix; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Richard McCreary II was born in Evergreen, Alabama, to the late Mr. Richard D. McCreary, Sr. and Leodia P. McCreary; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Richard McCreary II graduated from the Conecuh County Training School of Evergreen; he then attended Florida A & M University in Tallahassee, Florida, where he received his bachelor's degree in 1966; in 1970, he earned his master's degree from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale; in 1974, he earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Iowa; and in 1985, he earned his Master of Divinity degree from the Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Lombard; he later completed work for his Doctor of Ministry degree; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Richard McCreary II has had a long and distinguished career in the ministry; he began his career on May 14, 1967, when he was licensed to preach by the First Baptist Church of Evergreen, Alabama; on March 1, 1970, he was ordained by the Rockhill Baptist Church of Carbondale, where he served as interim Pastor until 1971; he served as interim Pastor at the Rock Hill Baptist Church in Carbondale for one year and as Youth Pastor at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa for 4 years; in March of 1980, he relocated to the New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church in Phoenix, where he has remained ever since; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Richard McCreary II is a former teacher in the Georgia and Alabama public school systems; he was employed as Professor of Composition at Governors State University for 24 years until his retirement in 1996; he was also employed as an Adjunct Professor of Preaching at the Northern Baptist Theological Seminary; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Richard McCreary II is a member of the Greater New Era District Association of Chicago and Vicinity, and the Phi Mu Alpha, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternities; he also serves as a staff writer for The Worker, a missionary and educational quarterly, and Urban Ministry, a Sunday School curriculum/commentary publication; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Richard McCreary II is the founder of the New Covenant Theological Institute and the New Covenant Christian Academy and currently serves as Executive Director of the organizations; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Richard McCreary II has been the recipient of numerous awards for outstanding community service and leadership awards, including the Carter G. Woodson Award, the State of Iowa Award for Composition, and the Clapp Memorial Award for Composition; in 1984, he was voted Professor of the Year at Governors State University; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Richard McCreary II is married to his college sweetheart, Barbara J. Pearson-McCreary M.D.; they are the loving parents of 3 children, Angela D. McCreary-Raybon, Nicole R. McCreary-Casmey, and Richard D. McCreary, III, and the proud grandparents of 6 grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Richard McCreary II serves as a model of hard work, integrity, and dedication for the people of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Reverend Richard D. McCreary II on the occasion of his 30th anniversary as Pastor of the New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church in Phoenix and wish him continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Rev. Richard McCreary II as a symbol of our esteem and respect.