HR0041 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0041 LRB100 06114 KLG 16146 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, On January 17, 1917, the Effingham Merchants Association was formed by a group of local business and civic leaders to advance the business interests of the City of Effingham; and

WHEREAS, The name of the organization has changed over the years from the Effingham Merchants Association, to the Effingham Business Men's Association, to the Effingham Chamber of Commerce, to the Greater Effingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and was changed in 2012 to the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce to better reflect its service to the needs of businesses throughout Effingham County; and

WHEREAS, The mission of the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce is to protect, foster, and enhance the success of its members and the community through focused and collaborative efforts; and

WHEREAS, In fulfilling that mission, the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce identifies community needs, problems, and opportunities and then develops programs that satisfy those needs, solve those problems, and seize those opportunities; and

WHEREAS, The Effingham County Chamber of Commerce works diligently to support economic growth and to create business opportunities; and

WHEREAS, Throughout its history, the Chamber has played a role in the growth of the Effingham County economy by purchasing land and raising funds for industrial development, and funding studies for the development of Lake Sara; it has been in the forefront of community initiatives like the Effingham Regional Career Academy, Effingham County Vision 2020, Effingham County CEO Class, Effingham County 911, and Trails Recreation Effingham County (TREC); and

WHEREAS, The Effingham County Chamber of Commerce serves existing businesses by sponsoring approximately 150 events, educational, and business-building activities each year, and by encouraging new business startup and business expansion assistance and programming; and

WHEREAS, Chamber membership is open to businesses, individuals, and organizations who desire to make Effingham County a great place to live, work, grow, play, visit, prosper, and raise a family; and

WHEREAS, The Effingham County Chamber of Commerce is celebrating 100 years of service to Effingham County businesses and communities in 2017 with celebrations at the Annual Business Recognition Gala, a summer celebration, and creating opportunities for the business community to give back through a 100 Service Project event; and

WHEREAS, For the past 100 years, the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce has proudly served local businesses and Effingham County as a whole; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce, and salute the organization for being a friend and advocate for the business community of Effingham County.