HR0634 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0634 LRB093 19992 HSS 45736 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the State of Illinois wish to recognize Hallie Amey for being an outstanding community leader of the Wentworth Gardens community; and

WHEREAS, Hallie Bronkens moved to Chicago when she was in her early twenties; shortly after her arrival, she met and married Frank Amey; they moved to Wentworth Gardens in the spring of 1951 with their three daughters, Frankie, Ethel, and Vicki; their fourth daughter, Zelma, was born on the eve of Mr. Amey's untimely death in 1958; Mrs. Amey was devastated by the death of her husband and overwhelmed by the task of raising four daughters on her own; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Amey's first involvement in the community began with the formation of Blue Bird, Brownie, and Girl Scout troops for young girls in the community; she then began working with the PTA of Robert S. Abbott Elementary School; and

WHEREAS, When her youngest daughter, Zelma, reached pre-school age, Mrs. Amey and some of her neighbors organized a pre-school in the community center because there was no Head Start Program available; the first group of children from that pre-school were so well-prepared for Kindergarten that they were put in an accelerated class; despite her work in the community, Mrs. Amey always found time to take her family to church, choir rehearsal, and BTU at the Progressive Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Amey was offered the position of Community Liaison Representative at the Robert S. Abbott Elementary School as a result of her volunteer work; she later was hired by the Chicago Housing Authority as a Community Representative; around 1962, a Resident Council was formed in Wentworth Gardens which functioned until 1971, when it was reorganized and became the Local Advisory Council; Mrs. Amey decided at this time that she could be more effective as a volunteer and has worked in that capacity since her resignation from the Chicago Housing Authority; and

WHEREAS, The Local Advisory Council opened a laundromat in 1968 and a grocery store in 1972 because there was a need in the community; Mrs. Amey has always been active in the community and has contributed countless hours for the betterment of Wentworth Gardens; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of her many contributions to the community, Mrs. Amey is being honored with a street naming ceremony at Pershing Road and Wentworth; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize Hallie Amey for being an outstanding community leader of the Wentworth Gardens community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Hallie Amey as an expression of our respect and esteem.