Bill Text: IL HR0137 | 2019-2020 | 101st General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Dr. Mary Louise Lacey of Waukegan.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-02-21 - Resolution Adopted [HR0137 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2019-HR0137-Introduced.html

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HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Mary
Louise Lacey of Waukegan, who passed away on February 13, 2019;
and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lacey was born in Sherard, Mississippi to
Elizabeth Campbell and Joseph "Joe" Climons Sr. on March 17,
1938; she grew up with nine siblings, and her parents formed
the Cradle Roll Singers; she recorded her first song, "If I Can
Help Somebody" when she was 19 years old; she had many
accomplishments in the musical arena as a world-renowned gospel
and recording artist; she moved to Waukegan and traveled
throughout the United States and Africa singing; at her annual
concert at Shiloh Baptist Church in Waukegan, she had the honor
of singing for First Lady Betty Ford; she also found success as
a hat designer and beautician; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lacey was an ordained Shepherdess,
Evangelist, and Pastor; she received her Church of God in
Christ ordination to minister the Gospel in 1989; she was
admitted to The American Ministerial Association as an ordained
minister in 1996; in 1997, she earned a doctorate from Trinity
Seminary; after that, she organized Mary's Mission & Shelter
Care; and

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WHEREAS, Dr. Lacey assisted many Illinois Foster Program
children through compassion and empowerment; in 2002, she began
volunteering at the Lake County Jail, where she gave
motivational talks to the inmates and would pray with those who
chose to participate; and
WHEREAS, Most recently, Dr. Lacey was known for holding an
annual Christmas parade from her mission to the Lake County
jail, where she and volunteers would pass out hundreds of toys
to the children of jail inmates, while also providing hams or
turkeys to the families; in 2014, she called the parade "Bring
Joy to the Jail," and she was joined by a coalition of church
groups, elected officials, police chiefs, and citizens; and
WHEREAS, Among her significant achievements, Dr. Lacy
received the 2008 Lake County Civil Rights Hall of Fame Award
in recognition of service, dedication, and contributions to the
Civil Rights movement; she was also awarded the Beyond the Call
of Duty Award by AT&T, the Religious Worker's Guild's
Humanitarian Award, the Patriot of the Year Award from the Help
Hospitalized Veterans Association, the People's Most
Influential African American Award, and the People's Voice
Health and Human Services Award; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lacey dedicated over 50 years of service as a

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humanitarian and community leader, inspiring others through
kindness, thoughtfulness, and dedication to her community;
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we mourn the passing of Dr. Mary Louise Lacey and extend our
sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew
and loved her; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the family of Dr. Lacey as an expression of our
deepest sympathy.