HR0282 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0282 LRB094 11822 CSA 44149 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Jack King, a Chicago firefighter, took a disability pension from the fire department in 1980 as a result of lung damage from fighting fires; and

WHEREAS, At the same time, he checked himself into a halfway house in Maywood for a year to overcome his drinking problem; he attributes the halfway house with saving his life; and

WHEREAS, He was born on November 9, 1930; he had five brothers, Bill, Tom, Mike, Buddy, Jimmy (deceased), and one sister, Dee Dee; his mother passed away when he was 13 years old and he worked as well as went to school; after serving with the Navy, he became a Chicago firefighter, as did his five brothers; at one time, Mr. King and all of his brothers served on the Chicago Fire Department; and

WHEREAS, He married and had eight children, Kathy, Kelly, Eileen, Colleen, John, Jerry, Patty, and Maureen; and

WHEREAS, In 1987, Jack King opened Guildhaus to help fellow alcoholics; he sought the help of the Mayor of Blue Island and knocked on 250 doors in the neighborhood to educate people about the halfway house; the Guildhaus opened with beds for 17 residents and now holds 33 men; there are also two recovery homes located in Blue Island that hold a total of 24 men; and

WHEREAS, Over the past 17 years, he has helped thousands of men find their way to a sober, productive life; he has given up a big part of his own personal life because of his dedication to Guildhaus; although he is now retired, he will remain an integral part of Guildhaus; Mr. King will also remain a member of the Illinois Association of Extended Care and the American Halfway House Association Program; and

WHEREAS, If it had not been for his dedication, Guildhaus would never have been possible; as Mr. King is fond of saying, "Yagottawanna"; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Jack King on the occasion of his retirement, we thank him for founding and remaining dedicated to the mission of Guildhaus, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Jack King as an expression of our admiration and esteem.