Bill Text: IL HR0809 | 2013-2014 | 98th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Congratulates the Vandalia Chamber of Commerce on its 100th anniversary.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)

Status: (Passed) 2014-02-05 - Resolution Adopted [HR0809 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2013-HR0809-Introduced.html

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HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives are pleased to congratulate the Vandalia
Chamber of Commerce on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of
its founding; and
WHEREAS, The Vandalia Chamber of Commerce was incorporated
on April 3, 1914 in the City of Vandalia and will have served
the community for an entire century on April 3, 2014; and
WHEREAS, The mission of the Vandalia Chamber of Commerce is
to serve its member businesses by encouraging and supporting
business growth, economic development, tourism, and networking
opportunities; and
WHEREAS, In advancing the interests of business
professionals and service organizations in the area, the
Vandalia Chamber of Commerce serves a vital role in the
development and promotion of economic activity in Vandalia,
enhancing the quality of life of its residents; and
WHEREAS, The organization's founding officers included
President Charles Evans, Vice-President Herbert Sonnemann, and
Secretary-Treasurer N.C. Gochenour; and

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WHEREAS, The founding members included: Mayor C.A. Janett,
Judge George T. Turner, J.V. Waddell, Joseph C. Burtschi, Ira
D. Lakin, P.T. Denny, J.S. Ritter, Nathan Levin, H.H.
Sonnemann, J.S. Carp, George A. Kurtz, N.C. Gochenour and C.A.
Evans; and
WHEREAS, In its nascent years, the Vandalia Chamber of
Commerce supported the community in its classic roles such as
the recruitment of business and industry to Vandalia, but the
it served a larger role, being involved in nearly every civic
and social function in the town; and
WHEREAS, In 1922, the Vandalia Chamber of Commerce acquired
a new building, suitable for offices, and a public library for
Vandalia; and
WHEREAS, The Vandalia Chamber Commerce headed a drive to
build a new railroad depot in Vandalia and found success,
providing for service on the Illinois Central and Pennsylvania
railroads in 1924; and
WHEREAS, The Vandalia Chamber of Commerce raised the
necessary funds for the erection of Mark Greer Hospital in 1925
and another local hospital in 1955; and
WHEREAS, The Vandalia Chamber of Commerce has attracted and

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facilitated the development of numerous prominent businesses
in the past, including: the Hart-Carter Company in 1953, the
Crane Packing Company in 1955, the United Wood Heel Company in
1961, and the Benner Nawman Company in 1968; and
WHEREAS, In 1978, Marie Bristow became the first woman to
serve as president of the organization; and
WHEREAS, The Vandalia Chamber of Commerce remains very
active to this day, sustained by approximately 200 member
businesses; and
WHEREAS, Current officers of the Vandalia Chamber of
Commerce include: President Greg Starnes of Fayette County
Hospital, Vice-President Brock Brannon of FNB/ Investment
Centers of America, Secretary John Ashdown of Family YMCA of
Fayette County, Treasurer Todd Stapleton of WPMB/WKRV Radio and
past President Ben Timmermann; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
the Vandalia Chamber of Commerce be commemorated for achieving
the epic milestone of a century of business and public service;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be

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presented to the Vandalia Chamber of Commerce as an expression
of our esteem and respect.