HR0643 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0643 LRB100 15078 MST 29921 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to honor the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's Xi Nu Omega Chapter for the organization's work in the community and thank the Monarch Awards Foundation for honoring African-American men through the Monarch Awards Gala's "Tribute to Black Men" on November 4, 2017; and

WHEREAS, The Monarch Awards Gala is the Monarch Awards Foundation's major fundraiser; the Gala's proceeds are used for scholarships, community programs, and non-profit grants; and

WHEREAS, Through the Monarch Awards Foundation, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's Xi Nu Omega Chapter contributes resources to help improve social and economic conditions through service initiatives and progressive educational enrichment, health promotion, family strengthening, environmental ownership, and global impact programming; the Monarch Awards has evolved from an annual fundraiser sponsored by a chapter of 30 women to a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation with a dues-paying membership of more than 300, implementing year-round programming, a charitable giving plan, a scholarship program, and two teen leadership development and mentoring programs; and

WHEREAS, The Monarch Awards Gala's first "Tribute to Black Men" was held in November of 1983, when 12 distinguished African-American men accepted their Monarch Awards and became the freshman class of honorees; since its inception, the "Tribute to Black Men" has honored 351 unsung heroes of their communities; and

WHEREAS, The 2017 "Tribute to Black Men" honorees are Julius Thomas (Business), Jeff Dase (Education), Lee Anderson Smith Jr. (Outstanding Youth), Pierre Johnson M.D. (Professional Achievement), Sean Long (Public Service), Rev. Dr. Jesse M. Brown (Religion), and Commander Robert L. Davis (Statesmanship); and

WHEREAS, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's Xi Nu Omega Chapter, the Monarch Awards Foundation, and the 2017 "Tribute to Black Men" honorees all serve as models of hard work, integrity, and dedication for the people of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's Xi Nu Omega Chapter for the organization's work in the community, thank the Monarch Awards Foundation for honoring African-American men through the Monarch Awards Gala's "Tribute to Black Men", and wish both organizations continued success in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the Monarch Awards Foundation as a symbol of our esteem and respect.