HR1073 LRB095 20337 GRL 47610 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The Illinois House of Representatives and State
3 Representative Monique D. Davis wish to congratulate Reverend
4 Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. on the occasion of his retirement
5 from the Trinity United Church of Christ on February 10, 2008,
6 after 36 years of dedicated service; and
 
7     WHEREAS, Reverend Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. was born on
8 September 22, 1941 in Philadelphia; his parents, the Reverend
9 Jeremiah Wright, Sr. and Dr. Mary Henderson Wright, were
10 influential in instilling his lifelong philosophy of balancing
11 the intellectual with the spiritual; and
 
12     WHEREAS, Reverend Wright was educated in the Philadelphia
13 public school system; after attending Virginia Union
14 University for three and a half years, he earned his bachelor's
15 degree and a master's degree from Howard University, another
16 master's degree from the University of Chicago, and his
17 doctorate in divinity from United Theological College, where he
18 studied under the eminent Dr. Samuel DeWitt Proctor; and
 
19     WHEREAS, Reverend Wright served his country with honor for
20 6 years as a member of the Armed Forces, serving in both the
21 United States Marine Corps and the United States Navy, where he
22 worked as a cardiopulmonary technician; and
 

 

 

HR1073 - 2 - LRB095 20337 GRL 47610 r

1     WHEREAS, Reverend Wright served as pastor of Chicago's
2 Trinity United Church of Christ since March 1, 1972; under his
3 inspired leadership, he oversaw the growth of Trinity United
4 Church of Christ's membership from 87 adult members to a
5 congregation of nearly 10,000; he was also integral in the
6 adoption of the church's motto, "Unashamedly Black and
7 Unapologetically Christian", and has made activism within and
8 on behalf of the African American community a major portion of
9 the church's mission, a goal that has seen fantastic results
10 throughout the City of Chicago and beyond; he also serves on
11 several boards of directors and committees in furtherance of
12 his work; and
 
13     WHEREAS, Reverend Wright has developed an excellent
14 reputation as an outspoken and effective community leader; he
15 has made it his mission to bring taboo issues, such as AIDS, to
16 the attention of the African American church leadership and
17 service; his commitment to the relevant political issues of
18 African American society, together with his dedication to the
19 African American sermonic tradition, has made him a highly
20 sought-after speaker by national and international groups; and
 
21     WHEREAS, Reverend Wright has been the recipient of numerous
22 awards, including three honorary doctorates and three
23 presidential commendations, in recognition of his work; and
 

 

 

HR1073 - 3 - LRB095 20337 GRL 47610 r

1     WHEREAS, Reverend Wright is an accomplished musician and
2 author; he has written four books, numerous articles, and
3 countless sermons during his illustrious career; in
4 recognition of his ministerial skills, he was named one of
5 Ebony Magazine's top fifteen preachers; and
 
6     WHEREAS, Reverend Wright is married to the Reverend Ramah
7 Reed Wright; he is the father of four daughters, Janet Marie
8 Moore, Jeri Lynne Wright, Nikol D. Reed, and Jamila Nandi
9 Wright, and one son, Nathan D. Reed; he is also the grandfather
10 of three grandchildren, Jeremiah Antonio Haynes, Jazmin Lynne
11 Hall, and Steven L. Moore, Jr.; and
 
12     WHEREAS, Reverend Wright's dedication to his ministry,
13 congregation, and community is worthy of the greatest respect;
14 therefore, be it
 
15     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
16 NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
17 congratulate Reverend Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. on the
18 occasion of his retirement and wish him continued success and
19 happiness in the future; and be it further
 
20     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
21 presented to Reverend Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. as a symbol of

 

 

HR1073 - 4 - LRB095 20337 GRL 47610 r

1 our esteem and respect.