HR0828 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0828 LRB099 14996 MST 39208 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Willie Mae "Sistah" Hopson on the occasion of her 80th birthday; and

WHEREAS, Willie Hopson was born on October 22, 1935 to Ellen and Willie Gordon and enjoyed her journey through life alongside her brother, J.P. Gordon; she attended Roosevelt Jr. High School and Peoria High School; and

WHEREAS, Willie Hopson worked for Caterpillar, Inc. for 27 years, retiring in 2000; she also worked for St. Francis Medical Center for over 13 years; she served as a Peoria County Commission Election Judge for 11 years; and

WHEREAS, Willie Hopson is affectionately looked upon as the "neighborhood mom"; and

WHEREAS, Willie Hopson has been a member of New Morning Missionary Baptist Church for 64 years and is a Golden Member; she currently serves as a Deaconess at her church and is the Missionary and Fundraising Chair; she is a former One Church, One Child foster care placement representative; she has been a member of the United States Bowling Congress for 40 years; and

WHEREAS, Willie Hopson has been married to Artis Hopson for 35 years and they have raised 6 children, all with successful careers; Mae Catherine Godhigh is a published author, inspirational speaker, and newspaper columnist and worked for District 150 for 36 years; Charles D. Thomas retired from the Caterpillar Tractor Company after 35 years; Wanda F. Thomas has worked for the City of Peoria for 16 years; Vachon Harper-Young works in the banking industry and has been a Vice-President for 32 years; Waymon H. Harper, Jr. has worked for Champaign School District 4 for 20 years; and Andre A. Hopson served in the United States Army for 22 years and as a City of Peoria Firefighter for 25 years; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Willie Mae "Sistah" Hopson on her 80th birthday and we wish her many more wonderful years; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Willie Hopson as an expression of our esteem and respect.