HR0660 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0660 LRB095 12935 KXB 38515 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Jim Culbertson, director and conductor, and the members of the Decatur Municipal Band as they celebrate the 150th anniversary of the band; and

WHEREAS, The Decatur Municipal Band was formed by nine charter members on September 19, 1857, making it one of the oldest non-military bands in continuous service in the United States and Canada; and

WHEREAS, The Band has been known by many names, including the Decatur Brass Band, Decatur Comet Band, and Decatur Silver Band; Andrew Goodman became the conductor in 1871 and served as director until his retirement in 1880; it was known as the Goodman Band until it was chartered with the City of Decatur in 1942 and officially designated the Decatur Municipal Band; and

WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Robert Walter from 1887 to 1928, the band reached new heights, marching in President McKinley's inaugural parade as the Illinois National Guard 4th Infantry Regimental Band, performing at the dedication of the Illinois Building at the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904, and being guest performers at the New Harmony, Indiana Centennial Celebration in 1914; and

WHEREAS, Though organized as a non-military band, the band was mustered into the Illinois National Guard 4th Infantry during the Spanish-American War and became the regimental band; as a regimental band, it saw active duty during the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, the Mexican Border War, and World War I, when the band became the National Guard 130th Infantry Band; and

WHEREAS, The current Decatur Municipal Band has been under the direction of Jim Culbertson since 1979; it is composed of high school and college students, and adults from all walks of life who play for little money but great satisfaction in playing great music for the Decatur community; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the conductor and members of the Decatur Municipal Band as they celebrate this special anniversary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Jim Culbertson, Musical Director and Conductor of the Decatur Municipal Band, as a symbol of our respect and esteem.