HR0277 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0277 LRB098 11802 MST 44915 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Pastor King James Underwood Sr. of Champaign, as he celebrates his 75th birthday; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Underwood was born to Sarah Parson Underwood and Judge Underwood on April 24, 1938, in Pantherburn, Mississippi, the 9th out of 10 siblings; he moved to Urbana to live with his sister, Rosetta Williams, and her husband, Ike, when he was 7 years old; he worked full-time and graduated from high school in Urbana and then served in the U.S. Navy; he received a certificate from the Illinois Institute of Technology, a bachelors of arts in Theology, a bachelors in Rehabilitation Counseling, a masters of arts in Religious Studies Education, a doctor of Ministry, and a doctor of Divinity (honorary); and

WHEREAS, Pastor Underwood worked for the University of Illinois in the Illini Union and Housing Division and as a general and sub-building contractor renovating homes and churches, helping in the building of New Free Will Baptist Church; he also worked for Alloy Engineering and Casting Company; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Underwood served as spiritual counselor and advisor to Danville Correctional Center, Champaign County Jail, the University of Illinois, Eastern Illinois University, Indiana University student outreach, and the Boy Scouts; he aided students in tutorial programs for the Urban League of Champaign County, the NAACP, Citizens Concerned with Quality Education, the Ministerial Alliance of Champaign-Urbana and Vicinity, the Rainbow Push Coalition Advisory Board of Champaign County, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Advocacy for Justice Committee, and Empty Tomb; he has benefited the community spiritually, culturally and financially by sponsoring Free Will Baptist District regional and youth conferences; the mayor proclaimed a "Bishop King James" Underwood Day" in Urbana; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Underwood is married to Dr. Evelan Underwood and they have 10 children; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Underwood has devoted his life to giving hope and improving the lives of the most vulnerable children, seniors and poor families; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Underwood's 75th birthday celebration will take place on April 26, 2013, at the Urbana Civic Center in Urbana; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we wish to congratulate Pastor King James Underwood, as he celebrates his 75th birthday; and be it further

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