H.Res. 191 — Introduced in House

IV 113th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 191 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 26, 2013 Mr. Hastings of Florida submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform RESOLUTION Honoring Jacoby Dickens, the successful, community-oriented African-American financier and philanthropist in Chicago, Illinois. Whereas Jacoby Dickens has become a prominent representation of the American Dream through his remarkable growth from humble beginnings in Florida to renowned financier of Seaway Bank & Trust Co.; Whereas Dickens has distinguished himself as much for his philanthropic efforts as for his entrepreneurial successes, constantly investing into the African-American community; Whereas Jacoby D. Dickens was born in Panama City, Florida, on June 19, 1931, one of six children, in a low-income household and went on to complete his high school education at Wendell Phillips High School in the South Side of Chicago; Whereas Mr. Dickens began saving money while working as a building engineer and used his savings to invest in real estate; Whereas Mr. Dickens used the returns of his successful investments in real estate to invest in multiple bowling alleys across Chicago, and gained exposure as a financial up-and-comer; Whereas Mr. Dickens became chairman of Seaway Bank & Co. in 1983, just 4 years after joining their board; Whereas Seaway was one of very few banks willing to provide loans in tough neighborhoods in the South Side of Chicago, primarily due to the Mr. Dickens’ model of success; Whereas Mr. Dickens built a $500,000,000 organization while focusing on dedicating his services to African-Americans in lower income communities, at a time when many were unwilling to take such risks; Whereas countless businesses, families, and communities at large were impacted by Mr. Dickens’ trust in people; Whereas Mr. Dickens believed that people are equal and deserve the opportunity to better themselves; and Whereas Seaway & Co. was originally only one of few banks in Chicago owned by African-Americans, but is now one of the largest and most successful banks in the city: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives— (1) honors Jacoby Dickens, the successful, community-oriented African-American financier and philanthropist in Chicago, Illinois, for his dedication to increasing equity amongst lower income African-Americans; (2) joins Jacoby Dickens and other philanthropic entrepreneurs in promoting equal access to financial betterment for underprivileged communities; and (3) believes that the fruit of thoughtful risk taking is the backbone of success in the United States; and (4) encourages each individual’s pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness.