HR0540 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0540 LRB102 21178 ECR 30217 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of dedicated community activist Bettye Baker Houston; and

WHEREAS, Bettye Houston and her family moved to the Roseland-Rosemoor community in 1966, and for the next 55 years, she dedicated her efforts to the area residents, promoting community awareness and pride, while galvanizing the community to address unmet needs; she was married to Herbert Houston for over four decades and was the proud parent of Sebastian and Tasha Baker, who follow in her footsteps by serving as community activists; and

WHEREAS, Bettye Houston served as a director of the Calumet Center Community Board for Metropolitan Family Services Calumet Center for 38 years and as a Director Emeritus for the past two years; she also served on the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation (NRC) National Advisory Council and the NRC National Resident Round Table; she participated in NRC's national focus group discussions on increasing resident participation in the planning and decision-making process for neighborhood development; she assisted in developing the Back to Basics Program, which provides grants for community organizers/coordinators; she served on the Community Leadership Institute planning committee and conducted a workshop on mobilizing residents; in 1980, Governor Thompson appointed her to serve on the Illinois State Medicaid Advisory Board; during her tenure, she assisted in redesigning the Illinois State Medicaid Program and rewriting the Public Aid Code; she was appointed by three Chicago mayors to serve on the Chicago Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC); and

WHEREAS, Bettye Houston held several leadership positions with organizations such as the Frank I. Bennett Shedd PTA, the Rosemoor Community Association, the Metropolitan Family Services Calumet Center, Roseland Neighborhood Housing Services, the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation, the Chicago State University Community Council, the Roseland Redevelopment Planning Board, the Roseland Mental Health Advisory Board, the Cook County Advisory Council, and the Greater Roseland Area Planning Commission; she was instrumental in planning and facilitating a community-wide planning meeting that pulled all facets of the community together to develop a revitalization plan; this plan resulted in reinvestment in Roseland, including the development of major retail businesses; she recruited numerous volunteers to attend educational workshops; she personally provided leadership training to residents, community stakeholders, and students seeking degrees in Community Development; and

WHEREAS, Bettye Houston successfully lobbied for many causes, including for new educational institutions such as Corliss and Julian High Schools, new elementary schools, Chicago State University, and the Carter G. Woodson Regional Library, the elimination of shutting off utility services between November 1 and March 30, the construction of a new fully equipped Roseland Public and Mental Health Center, the improvement of public transportation, the equal distribution of the Chicago Community Development Block Grants to the neighborhoods, the establishment of an FHA reform program to reduce foreclosure rates in Roseland, an effort to end segregation in the Chicago Public Schools that included assisting in drafting the Chicago Public School desegregation plan, the million-dollar renovation of the Roseland YMCA, the funding for the Pullman Bank College Bound Youth Program, and a community NeighborWorks clean up project that attracted the attention of several retail vendors; and

WHEREAS, Bettye Houston received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Illinois State Parent Teachers Association (PTA) Life Membership Award in 1977, the Neighborhood Housing Service of Chicago Neighborhood Leadership Award in 1987, the Rosemoor Community Association Dedicated Service Award 25 Years in 1992, being inducted into the 111th Street YMCA Wall of Honor for Outstanding Community Service in 1993, the Roseland Business Development Council Community Leadership Award in 1997, the State Farm Insurance Company and V103 Radio Station Home Town Hero Award in 1999, the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation Dorothy Richardson National Resident Leadership Award in 2002, the Human Resource Development Institute (HRDI) Outstanding Community Service Award in 2006, the Roseland Community Hospital Foundation Community Service Award in 2010, the Metropolitan Family Services Calumet Center Community Service Award in 2011, the Years of Service Award in 2021, the Each One Reach One Neighborhood Leadership Award in 2013, the Illinois State Board of Education Volunteer of the Year Award in 2015, the Pi Alpha Alpha Volunteer Service Award in 2017, and having the Community Impact Award named in her honor in 2019; in September of 2021, the Metropolitan Family Services Calumet Center recognized her at their annual meeting for her steadfast service and commitment to the Calumet Center, the Roseland community, and its residents; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Bettye Baker Houston and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Bettye Houston as an expression of our deepest sympathy.