HR1352 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1352 LRB100 24386 MST 43699 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of the Reverend James Bass of Chicago, who passed away on November 27, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Bass was born in Ruleville, Mississippi to Frank and Hattie Bell Bass, the oldest of six children, on May 7, 1920; he began school at the age of six in a little church house near Sunflower River Road; his favorite games were marbles and throwing horseshoes; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Bass was called into the ministry at the age of six; the children from neighboring farms gathered in one house on Sunday evenings to play church; he would conduct the service, rendering the sermon, the prayer, and the singing; tithes and offering were pieces of broken glass; he ministered at the funeral of anything that died and was repeatedly referred to as "The Preacher Boy"; every Sunday, he attended church with his parents in their only transportation, a mule pulled wagon; he first attended Mt. Laton Baptist Church in Sunflower County during the 1920s and 1930s; and

WHEREAS, At the age of 14, Rev. Bass became the custodian at his church; from 1934 through 1936, he attended Ruleville Jr. High School; in 1938, he preached his first sermon at Mt. Laton Baptist Church entitled Preaching as the Fire Burns; he graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1941; and

WHEREAS, On December 7, 1941, Rev. Bass was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served his country for three years during World War II; he continued his ministry during this time, speaking and teaching to fellow soldiers; he was promoted to Corporal in 1944 and was sent with his division to the South Pacific, India, and New Guinea, where his division was joined by the 92nd infantry amidst fierce fighting; he became the chaplain on the field and conducted worship services and delivered the mail; he was discharged on June 7, 1945 and received an array of medals; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Bass began his freshman year at Tugaloo College in 1948, majoring in history; he attended the Mississippi Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi in 1951 and became pastor of the Mt. Israel Baptist Church in Clarksdale, Mississippi, where he sponsored a broadcast for the senior citizens, the sick, and shut-ins; and

WHEREAS, In December of 1955, Rev. Bass was invited to Detroit to conduct a revival at Mt. Canaan Baptist Church; he made a stop in Chicago to visit his brother, Harry, and his sister, Mamie; he preached at the Greater Open Door Baptist Church while there; and

WHEREAS, In August of 1956, a small mission was started and rapidly grew in numbers; the Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church was organized in September of 1956; in February of 1957, Rev. Bass returned to Chicago; he commuted between Chicago and Mississippi, but soon permanently relocated to Chicago; he served six years as a pastor in Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, In 1967, Rev. Bass married Helyn Maxcine Julius; the couple was blessed with their first child on May 3, 1968, a son, Vincent, and on January 16, 1970, they were blessed with a daughter, Vikkeda; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of the Reverend James Bass and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Rev. Bass as an expression of our deepest sympathy.