HR0502 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0502 LRB098 12679 MST 47117 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Reverend Dr. Albert Sampson on the occasion of his retirement as pastor of Fernwood United Methodist Church in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Sampson has been a Civil Rights activist for over 60 years; he was ordained by Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 57 years ago and has led the Fernwood United Methodist Church for 38 of those years; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Sampson is an internationally known and respected icon and leader renowned as one of the most insightful and inspirational motivators in the field today; his message of leadership and self-development has reached millions in the United States and in 72 countries around the world; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Sampson is a distinguished Biblical scholar and theological consultant for The Original African Heritage Study Bible; he as appeared in thousands of media outlets including, Esquire and Ebony magazines, the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, and USA Today; his biography is recognized in Gale Group's Who's Who in Black America; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Sampson was born in Everett, Massachusetts, in 1938; he graduated from Everett High School in 1956, entered the ministry at age 19, and began preaching at his home church of Emmanuel Baptist in Malden, Massachusetts; he earned his bachelor's degree in religion and social science from Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina, and his master's degree in cultural studies from Governors State University in University Park in 1973; he earned a Master's of Divinity Degree in 1977 from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago and a Doctorate in Divinity from Union Baptist Theological Seminary in Toledo, Ohio; and

WHEREAS, A "Thank You Banquet" will be held honoring Reverend Sampson on July 12, 2013, at the Apostolic Church of God Banquet Hall in Chicago; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Reverend Dr. Albert Sampson on his retirement as pastor of Fernwood United Methodist Church and wish him the best in all his future endeavours; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Reverend Sampson as an expression of our esteem and respect.