COMMENDS-REV. DR. J. A. WRIGHT

Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HR0558

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HR0558
LRB104 16467 LAW 29860 r
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

2

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3
Representatives wish to commend individuals whose lives
4
reflect extraordinary achievement, service, and leadership
5
within their communities and throughout our State; and

6

WHEREAS, The Reverend Dr. Jeremiah Alvesta Wright Jr. has
7
given a lifetime of service to ministry, education, and the
8
African American community, and this year marks his 65th year
9
of membership in Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., one of the
10
most storied and service-oriented organizations in the nation;
11
and

12

WHEREAS, Rev. Wright, the son of the Reverend Dr. Jeremiah
13
A. Wright Sr., a Baptist minister, and Dr. Mary Elizabeth
14
Henderson Wright, a dedicated teacher, an education
15
administrator, and the first African American vice principal
16
of Philadelphia High School for Girls, was born in
17
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1941; and

18

WHEREAS, After graduating from Central High School of
19
Philadelphia in 1959, Rev. Wright attended Virginia Union
20
University, where he pledged Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
21
through the Zeta Chapter in 1960, continuing the family legacy
22
begun by his father, who pledged the same chapter in 1936; and

HR0558
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LRB104 16467 LAW 29860 r
1

WHEREAS, Following his time at Virginia Union University,
2
Rev. Wright served in the United States Marine Corps and later
3
in the United States Navy, where he trained as a
4
cardiopulmonary technician and was assigned to the medical
5
team caring for President Lyndon B. Johnson; and

6

WHEREAS, Rev. Wright earned his bachelor's and master's
7
degrees at Howard University, a second master's degree at the
8
University of Chicago Divinity School, and a Doctor of
9
Ministry from United Theological Seminary, where he studied
10
under Dr. Samuel DeWitt Proctor; and

11

WHEREAS, Rev. Wright became pastor of Trinity United
12
Church of Christ in Chicago in 1972, and he transformed a
13
congregation of fewer than 100 members into one of the largest
14
and most influential Black churches in America with a total of
15
8,000 active members; and

16

WHEREAS, Under Rev. Wright's leadership, Trinity United
17
Church of Christ became a national model for Black Liberation
18
Theology, Africentrism, cultural affirmation, and community
19
engagement, emphasizing the inseparable link between faith,
20
education, and social justice; and

21

WHEREAS, Rev. Wright's impact extends far beyond the

HR0558
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LRB104 16467 LAW 29860 r
1
pulpit; he has taught at Chicago Theological Seminary,
2
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and Virginia Union
3
University, mentoring more than 40 seminarians who proceeded
4
to earn advanced degrees and lead congregations across the
5
country; and

6

WHEREAS, Rev. Wright is the author of four books of
7
sermons and the historical volume A Sankofa Moment: The
8
History of Trinity United Church of Christ, the subject matter
9
of Black Prophetic Patriotism, an academic volume that
10
critically and constructively examines his life and legacy,
11
focusing on his patriotic promotion of inclusion within the
12
church and society, and his scholarship in Africana studies,
13
Black sacred music, and the African American religious
14
experience, and this work continues to influence students,
15
pastors, and theologians worldwide; and

16

WHEREAS, Rev. Wright has been recognized with a
17
Rockefeller Fellowship, the Carver Medal from Simpson College,
18
nine honorary doctorates, and countless awards for ministry
19
and public service; in recognition of his lifetime of ministry
20
and mentorship, he was awarded the Omega Lifetime Achievement
21
Award by the Supreme Council of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
22
during the 82nd Grand Conclave in July 2020; and

23

WHEREAS, Rev. Wright remains an active member of Omega Psi

HR0558
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LRB104 16467 LAW 29860 r
1
Phi Fraternity, Inc., upholding the fraternity's Four Cardinal
2
Principles of Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift
3
for more than six decades; and

4

WHEREAS, Rev. Wright's 65-year membership in Omega Psi Phi
5
Fraternity, Inc. stands as a testament to brotherhood, faith,
6
scholarship, and endurance, and it further serves as
7
inspiration to every young man who seeks to serve his
8
community and his faith with distinction; therefore, be it

9

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
10
HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
11
we commend the Reverend Dr. Jeremiah Alvesta Wright Jr. on the
12
occasion of his 65th year of membership in Omega Psi Phi
13
Fraternity, Inc., and we commend his extraordinary
14
contributions to ministry, education, and the spiritual life
15
of Illinois and the nation; and be it further

16

RESOLVED, That we thank Rev. Wright for his lifetime of
17
service, scholarship, and unwavering faith; and be it further

18

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
19
presented to Rev. Wright as an expression of our esteem and
20
respect.

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