HR0481 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0481 LRB097 12626 KXB 57112 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives join in celebrating the Universalist Unitarian Church of Joliet's 175 years of worship and service to the Joliet community; and

WHEREAS, In 1836, a small group of Universalists gathered together in a town that was then called 'Juliet'; from the beginning to their present day, they have maintained a common focus, to build community; it has continued to be the strength of the congregants to dwell together in peace, to seek knowledge in freedom, and to serve humanity in fellowship; the congregation has continued to serve the community, from those early beginnings, by being actively involved in local politics, commerce, and the educational development of its citizens; and

WHEREAS, People of national prominence, including Theodore Roosevelt and Thomas Starr King, spoke from the Auditorium Block dais; Joliet history was made within the walls of this building; plans and programs for a growing city originated here as well as cultural activities of all kinds; city, county, and school boards all met in the building regularly; Joliet Township High School was planned here; and the first Rotary Club meetings were held in the building; and

WHEREAS, In 1950, members of the church were active in community affairs such as: The League of Women Voters, the Y.M.C.A., the Rotary Club, the Lion's Club, and the Kiwanis Club; the Church also held religious education activities in which local children participated; and

WHEREAS, In 1962, the Joliet church voted to become part of the newly forming "Unitarian Universalist Association"; one of the church members served on the national board for the merger; to retain a sense of history and roots, the congregation voted to keep "Universalist" first in its name which became known as the "Universalist Unitarian Church of Joliet, Illinois"; and

WHEREAS, The congregation purchased a bank site located on the Westside of Joliet at the corner of Jefferson Street and Houbolt Road; after remodeling, the congregation dedicated the facility on Sunday, October 1, 2010; it is the church's current home and place of religious community; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the history of UUCJ, the people have celebrated their diversity in faith which encompasses individual searches for truth through Judaism, Ethical and Theological Christianity, Ethical Religion, Agnosticism, Atheism, Bahai Faith, Buddhism, Deism, Earth-Based Religions, Humanism, Mysticism, Paganism, Pantheism, Polytheism, and Skepticism; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we celebrate, along with the members of the Universalist Unitarian Church of Joliet, the 175th anniversary of the church and its service to the Joliet community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Michael N. Gorcowski as a symbol of our respect and esteem.