HR1554

LRB095 22670 KXB 53078 r






1

HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
2
    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3
Representatives are pleased to congratulate the staff and 
4
patrons of the YWCA McLean County on the 100th anniversary of 
5
the institution; and

 
6
    WHEREAS, The City of Bloomington granted the charter for 
7
the first YWCA in McLean County and the location was opened in 
8
1908; and

 
9
    WHEREAS, Highlights of the history of the YWCA McLean 
10
County include: in 1921 the YWCA purchased its first property 
11
on Jefferson Street in Bloomington, complete with a pool and 
12
cafeteria; and in 1929 Mary Lou Quinn of the Illinois Women's 
13
Athletic Club of Chicago sets the unofficial world record for 
14
the 150 yard freestyle swim in the YWCA pool; and

 
15
    WHEREAS, In 1930 the YWCA joins other organizations to 
16
establish the first community camp, East Bay Camp at Lake 
17
Bloomington; in the late 1940s, YWCA members hold sit-ins in 
18
area "whites only" restaurants, including the YWCA's very own 
19
tea room; and in 1952 the YWCA invited the Director of the 
20
Chicago Commission on Human Relations to a discussion about a 
21
race riot in Cicero that happened after an African-American 
22
family moved into the all-white community; and

 
 


 






HR1554
- 2 -
LRB095 22670 KXB 53078 r




1
    WHEREAS, In 1955 Caribel Washington became the first 
2
African-American President of the YWCA McLean County; in 1976 
3
the YWCA's current location on Hershey Road opened; and in the 
4
1990s the YWCA added Diversity Training and Study Circles to 
5
educate members of the community about racism; and

 
6
    WHEREAS, In 1994 the Week Without Violence began 
7
nationally; in 2007 the YWCA added Medivan service, providing 
8
transportation to local residents to and from medical 
9
appointments; and in 2008 the 100th anniversary began for the 
10
YWCA McLean County; therefore, be it

 
11
    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
12
NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
13
again congratulate the staff and patrons of the YWCA McLean 
14
County on the 100th anniversary of the institution and wish 
15
them the best in the future; and be it further

 
16
    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
17
presented to a representative of the YWCA McLean County as a 
18
symbol of our sincere respect.