HR0575 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0575 LRB100 13750 MST 28465 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Beulah R. Eli-Norago on the occasion of her 100th birthday on September 5, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Beulah Eli-Norago was born in Birmingham, Alabama to Frank and Hattie Bogus on September 5, 1917; she grew up in the segregated south, and at the age of 8, suffered a severe bout of tonsillitis and became the first African American in her community to ride in an ambulance; she enjoyed studying English and playing sports, especially volleyball and basketball, and served as captain of academic and sports teams; she graduated high school in Ishkooda, Alabama in 1934; later that same year, she married Madison Eli; and

WHEREAS, In 1935, Beulah Eli-Norago gave birth to the first of her six children, Curtis Lamont Ely; in 1937, after moving to the Englewood community of Chicago, their family grew with the births of Jewel, Madison, Jackie, Michael, and Lionel; and

WHEREAS, Beulah Eli-Norago's first job in Chicago was at the F.W. Woolworth; in 1965, she worked as an operations and personnel supervisor at the Englewood Urban Progress Center; she retired after 18 years of service to the Englewood community; and

WHEREAS, In 1968, after 34 years of marriage Beulah Eli-Norago's husband, Madison Eli, passed away; in 1974, she married Ernest Norago; he passed away in 2001; and

WHEREAS, Beulah Eli-Norago became a property owner of several residential buildings in the Englewood community, where she has lived and voted in local, State, and national elections for over 80 years; she continues to serve and support the 65th and Peoria Block Club; and

WHEREAS, Beulah Eli-Norago has been an active member of New Friendship Missionary Baptist Church for 70 years; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Beulah R. Eli-Norago on her 100th birthday, and we wish her many more wonderful years; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Beulah Eli-Norago as a symbol of our respect and esteem.