HR0994 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0994 LRB102 29471 LAW 41474 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize Preston G. Smith on his 50 years of service to the citizens of East Central Illinois as a community banker; and

WHEREAS, Preston Smith began his community banking career in 1972, serving as assistant vice president at First National Bank in Greenville; he later joined Central National Banks of Mattoon in 1979; and

WHEREAS, Preston Smith purchased, along with a group of community-minded investors, The First National Bank of Mulberry Grove in Mulberry Grove in 1989, serving as president and chairman of the board of directors; and

WHEREAS, Preston Smith significantly helped develop The First National Bank of Mulberry Grove when the announcement was made to open a banking center in Mattoon in 1998, with the bank's name being shortened to The First National Bank; and

WHEREAS, Preston Smith led The First National Bank's significant growth and investment in the community and began construction on a new facility in Mattoon to better serve East Central Illinois, opening The First National Bank Wealth Management and Broadway Banking Center in 2017; and

WHEREAS, Preston Smith remained president and chairman of the board until the bank was sold to Washington Savings Bank in Effingham in August 2021, and he continues to serve as a consultant; and

WHEREAS, Preston Smith has been actively involved in his community and has served on many boards of directors, including the Mattoon Area Family YMCA, the Mattoon Chamber of Commerce, and Lakeland Community College; he is also a member of numerous civic groups; and

WHEREAS, Preston Smith served as a member of the Federal Delegate Board for the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) from 2010 to 2016; and

WHEREAS, Preston Smith has been an active member of the Community Bankers Association of Illinois (CBAI), serving as chairman of the board from 2004 to 2005; he is dedicated to CBAI's mission of keeping community banks competitive for the benefit of their customers and the communities they serve through delivery of quality education, effective representation, and essential products and services; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize Preston G. Smith on his 50 years in community banking and wish him many more wonderful years; and be it further

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