HR0575LRB100 13750 MST 28465 r


  
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives wish to congratulate Beulah R. Eli-Norago on 
4the occasion of her 100th birthday on September 5, 2017; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Beulah Eli-Norago was born in Birmingham, Alabama 
6to Frank and Hattie Bogus on September 5, 1917; she grew up in 
7the segregated south, and at the age of 8, suffered a severe 
8bout of tonsillitis and  became the first African American  in 
9her community to ride in an ambulance; she enjoyed studying 
10English and playing sports, especially volleyball and 
11basketball, and served as captain of academic and sports teams; 
12she graduated high school in Ishkooda, Alabama in 1934; later 
13that same year, she married Madison Eli; and
  
 
14    WHEREAS, In 1935, Beulah Eli-Norago gave birth to the first 
15of her six children, Curtis Lamont Ely; in 1937, after moving 
16to the Englewood community of Chicago, their family grew with 
17the births of Jewel, Madison, Jackie, Michael, and Lionel; and
  
 
18    WHEREAS, Beulah Eli-Norago's first job in Chicago was at 
19the F.W. Woolworth; in 1965, she worked as an operations and 
20personnel supervisor at the Englewood Urban Progress Center; 
21she retired after 18 years of service to the Englewood 
22community; and
 
 
 
HR0575- 2 -LRB100 13750 MST 28465 r

1    WHEREAS, In 1968, after 34 years of marriage Beulah 
2Eli-Norago's husband, Madison Eli, passed away; in 1974, she 
3married Ernest Norago; he passed away in 2001; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Beulah Eli-Norago became a property owner of 
5several residential buildings in the Englewood community, 
6where she has lived and voted in local, State, and national 
7elections for over 80 years; she continues to serve and support 
8the 65th and Peoria Block Club; and
  
 
9    WHEREAS, Beulah Eli-Norago has been an active member of New 
10Friendship Missionary Baptist Church for 70 years; therefore, 
11be it
  
 
  
12    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
13HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
14congratulate Beulah R. Eli-Norago on her 100th birthday, and we 
15wish her many more wonderful years; and be it further
  
 
16    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
17presented to Beulah Eli-Norago as a symbol of our respect and 
18esteem.