HR0399 LRB096 12501 GRL 25567 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3 Representatives are pleased to honor Father Gary Graf for his
4 many years of dedicated service to the citizens of Waukegan and
5 the congregation of the Holy Family Parish; and
 
6     WHEREAS, Father Gary Graf has lived in Waukegan for almost
7 15 years; he arrived in Waukegan in 1994 to eventually replace
8 the former St. Joseph Church's pastor, Father O'Connell; as
9 pastor, Father Graf introduced many changes to the parish,
10 including the conversion of the St. Joseph Social Center into a
11 youth center for the children of the parish and the
12 neighborhood; the youth center eventually moved to a larger
13 location and become the Boys & Girls Club of Lake County; and
 
14     WHEREAS, Father Gary Graf is well known throughout his
15 community for his compassion and generosity; during the
16 preparation for the move to the new Holy Family Parish on
17 Keller Avenue in April of 2002, Father Graf donated 60 percent
18 of his liver to Miguel Zavala, an ailing parishioner; he has
19 served as a champion of the cause of the undocumented immigrant
20 and has always spoken eloquently on behalf of the stranger,
21 even those with opposing views; he has also devoted several
22 weeks each year to minister to the poor in Bolivia through a
23 medical program and was involved with the opening of St. Martin

 

 

HR0399 - 2 - LRB096 12501 GRL 25567 r

1 de Porres Catholic High School and Academy of Our Lady; and
 
2     WHEREAS, Father Gary Graf serves as a model of faith,
3 integrity, and dedication for the people of the State of
4 Illinois; therefore, be it
 
5     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
6 NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
7 honor Father Gary Graf for his many years of dedicated service
8 and wish him continued success and happiness in his future
9 endeavors; and be it further
 
10     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
11 presented to Father Gary Graf as a symbol of our esteem and
12 respect.