CONGRATULATIONS EXTENDED TO LORETTA J. OLIVER ON HER 85th BIRTHDAY
WHEREAS, On February 16, 2019, Loretta J. Oliver will celebrate her 85th birthday in the loving company of her family and many friends; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this milestone in Loretta's life by the Honorable Carrie M. Austin, Alderman of the 34th Ward and Chairman of the Committee on Budget and Government Operations; and
WHEREAS, On February 16, 1934, Loretta Oliver was born to loving parents, Mauris and Maudell Oliver, the fifth child in what eventually became a family of ten siblings; and
WHEREAS, The Oliver family enjoyed membership at Robert's Temple Church of God in Christ, at 4021 S. State Street in Chicago, a church famous for its history in having hosted the 1955 funeral of Emmctt Till, which helped spark the civil rights movement; and, three decades earlier, for launching the career of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, known as the godmother of rock V roll; and
WHEREAS, Sister Oliver and all of her siblings were encouraged to partake in the wonderful musical traditions of their church by singing in the church as soon as they were able to stand by themselves; and
WHEREAS, Sister Oliver is gifted with an extremely melodious voice. As a young woman she used this gift often to sing praises to God as a member of the Church choir and as one of the lead singers for a group called the Dancanaires, who billed themselves as "The Gospel Wonders of the Midwest". Sister Loretta could be frequently heard singing with the group on Robert Temples' weekly radio broadcast; and
WHEREAS, Sister Oliver's musical career is lengthy and well documented. There are many videos depicting her singing both individually, and with choirs; and
WHEREAS, Sister Oliver, along with her sister Vernon, is recognized in the books: Alive Again, by Bishop Lorenzo L. Kelly; and, Gonna Do Great Things: the Life of Sammy Davis Jr. by Gary Fishgall; and
WHEREAS, Sister Oliver also became a member of the renowned Thompson Community Singers and has been the featured soloist with the Jesse Dixon Singers, the Operation Breadbasket Choir, and the Rainbow PUSH Choir. She has shared stages and pulpits with such Gospel Legends as Reverend James Cleveland, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Albertina Walker, Dorothy Norwood, Inez Andrews, and so many others; and
WHEREAS, For thirty-two years, Sister Oliver was a member of the famed Fellowship "Is_-No ^cret ^ .
What God Can Do," Missionary Baptist Church, pastored by Reverend Charles Jenkins aigt'founded by TT§
Reverend Dr. Clay Evans. She was a lead singer for the Fellowship Choir, as well as ftjji Jhe forrner O
AARC "African-American Religious Connection" Choir; and r->p ; ^ ^
WHEREAS, From time to time, you may hear Sister Oliver on the radio invoking memorie^£.thosirby- ^ gone days as she sings "It Is No Secret What God Can Do", the theme song ofthe weekly raerfc^roa&Sast, ^ "What a Fellowship Hour". You may also hear her declaring in song "I'm On My Way to Heaverg as well as "I'm So Glad He Took My Sins Away," "I'm Determined," "I've Got Power," "He Included Me." "Give Me A Clean Heart" and that very, very special rendition of "Something About God's Grace." All of these songs and others are now documented with the ministry and music of Reverend Dr. Clay Evans
and can be found in the archives of the Harold Washington Library in Chicago and at the Baylor University in Texas; and
WHEREAS, Now retired, Sister Oliver devotes more of her time using her gift to promote the Kingdom of God. She recently sang in Los Angeles, California, at a concert sponsored by her nephew, Mr. Louis Price, which also featured her sister, Mrs. Vernon Oliver Price, a well-renown singer in her own right; and
WHEREAS, Sister Oliver has spent a lifetime sharing her heavenly voice to spread the word of God, and she is now a member of the Greater Tabernacle Cathedral Church of God In Christ where she uses her gift on most Sundays to sing the "Scrmonic Selection" for the service;
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this thirteenth day of March, 2019, do hereby extend to Sister Loretta J. Oliver our best and happiest wishes upon the occasion of her eighty-fifth birthday and our gratitude for the joy of music and spirit she has shared with so many people; and
CARRIE M. AUSTIN Alderman, 34th Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to Sister Loretta J. Oliver.