HR1470 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1470 LRB094 21742 KXB 60150 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to honor Illinois citizens who have accomplished much in their lives; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Robert E. Lee of Moline, Illinois is one such individual; and

WHEREAS, Robert E. Lee was born and educated in Alexis, Illinois; he attended and graduated from St. Ambrose University and St. Meinrad Seminary; he was ordained into the priesthood in 1959 at St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria, Illinois; and

WHEREAS, In 1959 he was assigned to the Sacred Heart Parish in Moline; he would go on to spend his entire ministry in that city, accumulating 40 years at Sacred Heart and 3 years at St. Mary's; and

WHEREAS, Under his leadership, Sacred Heart Parish became the largest parish in the Peoria Diocese; and

WHEREAS, In addition to leading his parish, Reverend Lee also found time to serve on many boards and commissions; he served as a member of the Priest's Senate in the Peoria Diocese; he served as a member of the Diocesan Consultors and the Diocesan Finance Commission; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Lee was Vicar of the Rock Island Vicariate from 1974 to 1986 and again from 1991 to 1998; he served on the Board of Education for Alleman High School, Sacred Heart School, and Seton Catholic School; he served on the Black Hawk College Board of Trustees and also the Lutheran Hospital Board of Directors; and

WHEREAS, In 2001, Reverend Lee was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from St. Ambrose University; he also received the St. Ambrose University Alumni Service Award; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Lee served on the Moline Commission on Youth Citizens Advisory Board, and the Board on Catholic Charities; and

WHEREAS, Together with his fellow workers Reverend Lee saw the consolidation of the Moline Catholic Schools into the Seton Catholic School and the building of the new Seton Catholic Middle School; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Robert E. Lee retired in 2001; he is considered a leader in the community, an educational leader, a mentor, a servant, and a friend to many; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Reverend Robert E. Lee on his recognition from the Center for Belgian Culture on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the founding of Sacred Heart Parish; we thank him for his many years of dedication and devotion to the people of Moline; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Reverend Robert E. Lee, with our sincere gratitude.