HR1102 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1102 LRB098 21312 MST 59530 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to learn that the historic Pasfield House Inn has been chosen to appear on the official Springfield city ornament for the 2014 holiday season; and

WHEREAS, The Pasfield House Inn will be featured on the 22nd Springfield city ornament, in a series depicting landmarks or events unique to Springfield; and

WHEREAS, The Pasfield House Inn, a historically significant Springfield landmark, was acquired in 1996 by former Republican Clerk of the House Tony Leone and extensively renovated; and

WHEREAS, Tony Leone was recognized by the Illinois House of Representatives for his revitalization of the west side of the Capitol Complex, by being appointed to the Advisory Board of the Illinois Capitol Historic Preservation Board, as well as by the Illinois Governor as a trustee to the Illinois Historic Preservation Board; and

WHEREAS, The Pasfield House Inn is located just west of the current State Capitol Complex and was once part of a 40-acre estate that 3 generations of Pasfields had resided on since the early 1840s; and

WHEREAS, The Pasfields played a significant role in Springfield becoming the State capitol; and

WHEREAS, George Pasfield and wife, Mary, arrived in Springfield in 1831 and established the first grocery emporium on the new public square and was instrumental in the town's early growth; and

WHEREAS, George Pasfield was among 40 local businessmen who pledged to invest in a bond to build what is now the Old State Capitol in Springfield should the legislature, then in Vandalia, consider relocation to Springfield; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois General Assembly passed legislation in 1837 to relocate the State's capitol to Springfield thanks to the efforts of Abraham Lincoln and "the long nine", along with the financial support of George Pasfield's business group; and

WHEREAS, In the early 1900s, his grandson, George Pasfield, Jr., owner of what is now known as the Pasfield House, became President of a local business group, Capitol Grounds Purchase Association, which acquired all residential property south of the current Capitol building, allowing expansion; and

WHEREAS, George Pasfield, Jr. testified before the Illinois Senate, requesting that a building be erected on the expanded grounds; and

WHEREAS, In 1918, construction began on the Illinois Centennial Building, now the Howlett Building; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Centennial Building, along with the erection of the Supreme Court Building, established the permanency of Springfield as the State Capital; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we commend Tony Leone for his passion and dedication to promote and preserve the State's history, while raising the bar for all future historical restoration efforts throughout the City of Springfield; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we laud the City of Springfield for choosing the Pasfield House Inn to appear on the official 2014 Springfield City Ornament; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Pasfield House Inn proprietor Tony Leone and Springfield Mayor Michael Houston as an expression of our esteem and respect.