HR1095 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1095 LRB100 21957 ALS 39955 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize Pastor John H. Sr. and Minister Movita Rice for over 50 years of dedication to the ministry; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Rice was born in Starkville, Mississippi and moved to Chicago Heights at the age of four; after graduating high school, he spent two years in Los Angeles; he returned to Chicago Heights in 1959 to marry Movita Tate; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Rice was appointed to St. Bethel M.B. Church in 1970; after 40 years of dedicated service, he retired from his role of pastor, but not from preaching; as pastor, he organized many community outreach ministries, including clothing drives, community feedings, Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets, and Christmas toy drives; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Rice's greatest accomplishment was the development of the Bethel Community Facility (BCF), a 25,000 square foot edifice often referred to as "The Miracle of Portland Avenue"; the facility offers many services to low-income individuals, including after-school tutoring, computer training, rent and utility assistance, GED programs, emergency food and shelter, performing arts camp, summer day camp, a fully-equipped medical center and pharmacy, and a 5,400 square foot gymnasium; and

WHEREAS, As Executive Director of the BCF, Pastor Rice spearheaded a program for the homeless that provided free showers, barber and cosmetology services, health screenings, job training and placement, mailboxes, meals, and ID cards; in 2004, a shelter and warming center were added to the program; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Rice's other accomplishments include opening Bethel Annex, a 50,000 square foot building used to house local businesses, new entrepreneurs, and expanded community programs; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Rice has received many awards and recognitions, including a Letter of Proclamation from the City of Chicago Heights that declares the fourth Sunday in June "Rev. John H. Rice Day," the Dr. Charles E. Gavin Top Brass Award, the Chicago Heights City Council Dreamer of the Year Award, the renaming of Fifth Avenue to "Rev. John H. Rice Way," and letters of congratulations from President Clinton, President Obama, and Governor Quinn; and

WHEREAS, Pastor and Minister Rice have touched many lives during their years of dedicated service and are most proud of answering the call to serve other people; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize Pastor John H. Sr. and Minister Movita Rice, and we commend their years of dedication to the ministry; and be it further

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