HR0399 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0399 LRB096 12501 GRL 25567 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to honor Father Gary Graf for his many years of dedicated service to the citizens of Waukegan and the congregation of the Holy Family Parish; and

WHEREAS, Father Gary Graf has lived in Waukegan for almost 15 years; he arrived in Waukegan in 1994 to eventually replace the former St. Joseph Church's pastor, Father O'Connell; as pastor, Father Graf introduced many changes to the parish, including the conversion of the St. Joseph Social Center into a youth center for the children of the parish and the neighborhood; the youth center eventually moved to a larger location and become the Boys & Girls Club of Lake County; and

WHEREAS, Father Gary Graf is well known throughout his community for his compassion and generosity; during the preparation for the move to the new Holy Family Parish on Keller Avenue in April of 2002, Father Graf donated 60 percent of his liver to Miguel Zavala, an ailing parishioner; he has served as a champion of the cause of the undocumented immigrant and has always spoken eloquently on behalf of the stranger, even those with opposing views; he has also devoted several weeks each year to minister to the poor in Bolivia through a medical program and was involved with the opening of St. Martin de Porres Catholic High School and Academy of Our Lady; and

WHEREAS, Father Gary Graf serves as a model of faith, 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 honor Father Gary Graf for his many years of dedicated service and wish him continued success and happiness in his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Father Gary Graf as a symbol of our esteem and respect.