Bill Text: IL HJR0021 | 2011-2012 | 97th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Rev. Dr. Isaac Singleton.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2013-01-08 - Session Sine Die [HJR0021 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2011-HJR0021-Introduced.html

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HJ0021 LRB097 10790 KXB 51667 r
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Rev. Dr.
Isaac Singleton, who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Isaac Singleton was one of the most
influential spiritual leaders of our time; he dedicated his
entire life to making a difference for mankind; during the 50's
and 60's, Dr. Singleton played a major role in the civil rights
movement, marching alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; Dr.
Singleton shared Dr. King's dream, his vision, and the struggle
for equality; and
WHEREAS, As a result of believing right is right and wrong
is wrong, he gained national recognition for his efforts in the
civil rights movement; Dr. Singleton was known throughout the
world as a leader for all people; he was also recognized as one
of the most prolific speakers/teachers of the gospel; for over
four decades, Dr. Singleton spread the good news of Jesus
Christ around the world; for nearly 50 years, he served as the
pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Joliet; and
WHEREAS, Prior to pastoring Mt. Zion, Dr. Singleton
pastored the Russell Street Church in East St. Louis, and he
pastored the Colette Street Church in Danville; under his

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leadership at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, membership grew from 100
to 2,000 members; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Singleton served as president for the
Metropolitan Alliance Council (MAC); he was the founder and
past president of the Joliet Affiliate Rainbow/P.U.S.H.
Coalition; he served as the religious coordinator for the
Illinois Rainbow/P.U.S.H. and as an active National Board
Member; he was also the founder of the Hill Memorial Center of
Joliet; and
WHEREAS, In 1986, Dr. Singleton was one of 150
African-American pastors invited to the White House by former
President Ronald Reagan to consult on civil rights issues; Dr.
Singleton served the community, State, and nation in many
capacities, including serving as a former trustee for the Will
County Regional Education Board, a member of the Joliet
Township High School Foundation, an appointee to the Illinois
Department of Children and Family Services Advisory Council by
former Governor James Thompson (served 12 years and was
chairman for two terms), Board of Directors of the Joliet
Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry (served one year as
vice president), a board member on the Economic Commission of
Will County Downtown Redevelopment, President of the Baptist
General State Congress of Christian Education of Illinois,
instructor of the National Baptist Congress of Christian

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Education-USA, vice president of the National Baptist
Congress, superintendent of Human Relations of the Baptist
General State Convention of Illinois for 25 years, and
moderator of the Lebanon Baptist District Association; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Singleton received many honorary
distinctions, including inductions into the Who's Who Among
Black Americans and the Joliet/Will County Hall of Pride; he
was awarded the honor of having a street named after him
(Singleton Place), and the board room within the Joliet Region
Chamber of Commerce and Industry is also named in his honor
(The Rev. Isaac Singleton Room); and
WHEREAS, Dr. Singleton was also the recipient of the Joliet
Chamber Lifetime Achievement Award; he was also awarded the
Community Relations Award from the city of Joliet (1970), the
Distinguished Citizen Award from Lewis University (1975), the
Outstanding Dedication to Service in Education from the
Educational Service Region of Will County, and the Community
Leader of American National Editors of America Award (1969);
and
WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Isaac Singleton is survived by his wife,
the former Pearlie B. Dexter; his six children; his 19
grandchildren; his 8 greatgrandchildren; and his 4 great-great
grandchildren; therefore, be it

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RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE
SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we mourn, along with his family
and friends, the passing of Rev. Dr. Isaac Singleton; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the family of Rev. Dr. Isaac Singleton as a symbol
of our sincere sympathy.