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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives wish to congratulate New Zion Missionary
4Baptist Church in Rockford on the occasion of its 100th
5anniversary; and
 
6    WHEREAS, In 1924, Reverend Thomas P. McGee, who proceeded
7to lead the church for the next 35 years, and seven others
8gathered to organize New Zion Missionary Baptist Church, later
9purchasing a worship location in 1925; and
 
10    WHEREAS, New Zion Missionary Baptist Church has endured
11through global conflicts, depressions and recessions, social
12upheaval, and global pandemics, demonstrating a commitment to
13faith while continuing to serve as a beacon of light within the
14community; and
 
15    WHEREAS, New Zion Missionary Baptist Church's
16community-focused approach has driven the church to combat
17blight, work with law enforcement to create public safety
18initiatives, institute a legal clinic, the Gospel Justice
19Center, and establish its Mental Health Wellness Ministry,
20among other community projects; and
 
21    WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Reverend K. Edward

 

 

HR0971- 2 -LRB103 43585 ECR 76925 r

1Copeland, New Zion Missionary Baptist Church moved into a new
2facility in 2019, and the church continues to expand its
3attendance even during trends of declining church attendance;
4and
 
5    WHEREAS, New Zion Missionary Baptist Church remains open
6and warmly inviting to all those interested in attending;
7therefore, be it
 
8    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
9HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
10we congratulate New Zion Missionary Baptist Church on its
11100th anniversary; and be it further
 
12    RESOLVED, That we recognize New Zion Missionary Baptist
13Church for its unwavering dedication to the betterment of its
14community; and be it further
 
15    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
16presented to Reverend K. Edward Copeland of New Zion
17Missionary Baptist Church as an expression of our esteem and
18respect.