[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11880]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           STATEMENT ON THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF MARIE WILKINSON

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                            HON. BILL FOSTER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 6, 2009

  Mr. FOSTER. Madam Speaker, today I rise today to acknowledge the 
100th birthday of Mrs. Marie Wilkinson.
  A true living legend, Marie Wilkinson has spent a lifetime giving to 
others and her community.
  Today I thank Marie Wilkinson for all her service to the city of 
Aurora and wish her a very happy birthday. It is an honor to celebrate 
such a momentous day and a remarkable life.
  For more than six decades Marie Wilkinson has fought injustice and 
given voice to those most in need. Her activism has reached well beyond 
the local level to benefit countless across the state. In the late 
1940s Mrs. Wilkinson won a case before the Illinois State Appellate 
Court that resulted in the integration of area restaurants. Through the 
Human Relations Commission she founded in 1964, Mrs. Wilkinson is 
credited with enacting the first Fair Housing Ordinance in Illinois.
  Unyielding determination and a deep love of people have kept Marie 
Wilkinson going. Her work has led to the founding of more than 60 
charitable organizations including Hesed House Homeless Shelter, Feed 
the Hungry Program, Breaking Free Drug Program, Catholic Social Action 
Conference, Sci-Tech Youth Science Museum, and the Quad County Urban 
League.
  I ask my colleagues to please join me in recognizing Marie 
Wilkinson's 100th birthday, and celebrating her commitment to the 
betterment of community and humanity.

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