SR0086 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0086 LRB097 10613 GRL 51000 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Bishop Frank M. Munsey of Munster, Indiana, who passed away on February 5, 2011; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Frank Munsey was born on August 11, 1930; his parents were Frank and Eva Munsey of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Frank Munsey was the founder and Pastor Emeritus of Family Christian Center (FCC), a mega-church of more than 17,000 in Munster, Indiana, having founded the church in 1953; he remained at FCC until 1985, when his son, the Reverend Steve Munsey, assumed charge of the church; the FCC is known for sermons that fuse the Gospels with high-tech theatrics and its diverse outreach programs; and

WHEREAS, Under the leadership of and following the example of Bishop Frank Munsey, the Family Christian Center has distributed five million tons of food to local families; the church's hospital ministry sends chaplains to 23 local hospitals; five Correctional Facilities within the Northwest Indiana-Chicagoland area receive hope for a new life through FCC's prison ministry; FCC also provides spiritual and financial help to missionaries in more than 10 countries, supporting orphanages, schools, and churches through world missions; and

WHEREAS, In 1985, Bishop Frank Munsey left pastoral care and focused on world missions; he ministered in 105 countries before settling in Sofia, Bulgaria, where, in 1992, he and his wife began the American English Academy, a school that provides excellence in education under a Christian banner in a largely un-churched nation; the academy's 175 students hail from 31 countries; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Frank Munsey was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Kenneth Munsey and Frances Munsey; and

WHEREAS, Bishop Frank Munsey is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Ruth (nee McConley); his brother, Darrel Munsey (Carolyn); his children, Stephan K. Munsey (Melodye), Joe D. Munsey (Robin), Phillip M. Munsey (Jeannie), and Sheila R. Munsey Gerald (Kevin); his 9 grandchildren; his 10 great-grandchildren; and his many sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews, friends, and colleagues; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Bishop Frank M. Munsey; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Bishop Frank Munsey as an expression of our sympathy.