HR1233 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1233 LRB100 23644 MST 42688 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Carl Walton Sr. of Chicago on the occasion of his 100th birthday; and

WHEREAS, Carl Walton Sr. was born in Yazoo City, Mississippi on October 8, 1918; he received his formal education from the Piney Woods Institute in Piney Woods, Mississippi; he grew up selling food to support his family and later worked for the Gamer Seed Company in Yazoo City, where he sold and delivered garden materials; and

WHEREAS, Carl Walton Sr. and his siblings formed a family singing group, The Walton Brothers, and were known for their harmonious gospel quartet; Sam Cooke sang with them for a short period of time; The Walton Brothers traveled around the country performing their music in various places including Chicago, and the states of Mississippi, Missouri, and Indiana; the group was the first to sing on Isabel Joseph Johnson's WHFC Sunday morning broadcast, currently known as WVON; and

WHEREAS, Carl Walton Sr. migrated to Chicago, where he enrolled in a plumbing training program; he later worked as a box handler and courier for Erie Lackawanna Railroad, which became Conrail and then Amtrak; he retired after 30 years of dedicated service; and

WHEREAS, Carl Walton Sr. had four children from a previous marriage, May Helen, Carlos, Felicia, and Carl Walton Jr.; he married his current wife, Geralene Walton, in 1973 and to this union twin daughters were born, Barbara and Carol; and

WHEREAS, Carl Walton Sr.'s hobbies included fishing and gardening; he often caught loads of fish and brought them home to share with his neighbors and friends; he was also an avid gardener and his yard was well known in the neighborhood, showcasing his grapevines, apple trees, pear trees, tomatoes, bell peppers, and strawberry patches just to name a few; and

WHEREAS, Carl Walton Sr. is an active member of the First Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Brasfield; he can be seen every Sunday in the area where the men sit, right behind the deacons; and

WHEREAS, At 100 years young, Carl Walton Sr. enjoys laughing, joking, and talking with his children, grandchildren, and his many friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Carl Walton Sr. on his 100th birthday, and we wish him many more wonderful years; and be it further

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