HR0493

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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The Sesquicentennial Celebration of the Village 
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of West Salem will take place June 29 through July 1, 2007; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The Village was officially incorporated by the 
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State of Illinois on February 8, 1857;
West Salem, population 
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1100, is located in northern Edwards County in southeastern 
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Illinois; West Salem is home to the only Moravian Church in 
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Illinois, as well as being the birthplace of Champion 
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Laboratories, founded in the 1950s; and

 
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    WHEREAS, In 1814, Edwards County stretched all the way to 
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Canada and today is the second smallest county in the State; 
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the first settlers arrived in the area around 1820, and others 
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continued to make northern Edwards County their home; in the 
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fall of 1830, a small group of settlers arrived from Davidson, 
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North Carolina; among them was Peter Hinkle, a Moravian 
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blacksmith, who arrived in a two-horse wagon with just $10 in 
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his pocket; on May 25, 1844, his barn was the site of the first 
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Moravian Church service; most of the charter members had come 
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from Salem, North Carolina and the new settlement was called 
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New Salem; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Since the settlers had come west from Salem, North 
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Carolina, the name was changed to West Salem in deference to 
 


 






HR0493
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LRB095 12360 KXB 37210 r




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the other New Salem in Illinois; and
 
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    WHEREAS, From the early beginnings of the Moravian 
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settlers, a thriving town soon developed; the residents found 
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success through a healthy mix of agriculture and business; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Today, the village square stands as a beautiful 
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reminder of what has been, as well as what is yet to come; the 
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residents of West Salem have proven to be resilient, and hope 
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and optimism are in abundant supply as they continuously strive 
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to improve themselves and their community; and

 
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    WHEREAS, West Salem is taking pride in "Honoring the Past, 
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Appreciating the Present, and Planning for the Future"; 
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therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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congratulate the citizens of the Village of West Salem as they 
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celebrate the 150th anniversary of their community; and be it 
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further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to the mayor of the Village of West Salem as a symbol 
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of our respect and esteem.