WHEREAS, The City Council has been informed of this prestigious occasion by the Honorable David Moore, Alderman of the 17th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Reid holds a national reputation for being one of the most outstanding Ministers' of Music this side of Heaven, with her unique style of directing enhancing services at churches for more than 50 years. Dr. Reid will celebrate her 85th birthday on July 7, 2015, thereby reaching a milestone few are fortunate to achieve; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Reid has played many pioneering roles during her lifetime. In 1950, she was the only woman among five charter members who started the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago where her brother, the eminent Rev. Clay Evans, was the Founder and Pastor. She started the church's choir, served as its first pianist, and was appointed Minister of Music in 1963, during a time in which it was unheard of for a woman to hold such a position; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Reid studied music during her childhood under the late Kate Evans of Brownsville, Tennessee and under the late Rev. Charles Walker, who was also a musician of the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church. She has been showcased in many arenas, including over thirty musical releases of the Rev. Dr. Clay Evans and in numerous choral concerts across the country, in Japan and throughout Europe; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Reid is known world-wide for her moving renditions of hymns such as "It Is Well", "More Love To Thee", and "Close to Thee." She is a dynamic speaker who has served as a workshop leader at many churches, and as staff musician and devotion leader for the Chicago-land Christian Women's Conference. She is guest Director for the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. and most recently, was invited to be a guest director on the nationally known Bill Gaither Pioneer Gospel Hour; and
WHEREAS, In 2005, Dr. Reid founded the Traditional Gospel Choir and in 2014 they recorded their first album. Dr. Reid continues to attend Sunday Church School, mid-week prayer services, conducts workshops throughout Chicago and serves on the staff of Gospel Music According to Chicago (GMAC). She makes time to visit the sick and counsel those who are in distress; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Reid was married to the late Robert Louis Reid. She is the mother of two children, Eldred Louis Reid (deceased) and Minister Tonia Johnson. She is also the grandmother of three, the great-grandmother of five and the great, great grandmother of three. She has received numerous awards over the years and on May 12, 2000 she was conferred the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letter at Arkansas Baptist College in Little Rock, Arkansas; and
WHEREAS, Cognizant of the history to which Dr. Reid has both witnessed and contributed, the Chicago City Council believes that she is deserving of the adulation and good wishes she is offered as she celebrates her eighty fifth year; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago gathered here this twentieth day of June 2015, do hereby extend the happiest of birthday wishes to Dr. Reid and do hereby declare July 7, 2015 Dr. LouDella Evans Reid Day in the City of Chicago; and
Be It Further Resolved, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. LouDella Evans Reid.