HR0492 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0492 LRB101 13818 MST 62677 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Reverend Silas Johnson on 35 years as pastor of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Springfield; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Johnson is a native of Macon, Mississippi and has lived in Springfield for many years; he graduated from Noxubee County High School in Macon and attended Lincoln Land Community College and the United Theological Seminary, where he earned his Bachelor of Theology in Religious Studies; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Johnson was ordained at the age of 25, and his service to Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, the Springfield religious community, and the community-at-large is extensive; he has taught Sunday school, directed several ministries, and served on task forces; he is a member of the NAACP; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Johnson is the visionary behind Nehemiah Expansion, Inc., a not-for-profit outreach ministry that includes Nehemiah Affordable Housing, which has built over 80 houses on the eastside of Springfield, and the Nehemiah Child Development Center, which provides high quality daycare at three locations; he also helps operate a technology center through Calvary in collaboration with the Springfield Housing Authority to help residents who are interested in finding employment or gaining academic advancement learn important technological and computer skills; and

WHEREAS, This year, Rev. Johnson is also helping Calvary Missionary Baptist Church celebrate the 100th anniversary of its founding; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Johnson is a certified electrician and retired in July of 2010 from a long career with City Water, Light and Power; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Johnson and his wife, Loretta, are the parents of three children together, Isaiah, Samuel LeJuane, and Silas Adrian II; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Reverend Silas Johnson on 35 years as pastor of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church and wish him many more wonderful years; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Rev. Johnson as a symbol of our respect and esteem.