Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HR0375

HR0375 LRB104 13736 LAW 26458 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to commend Carlos Hernandez Falcon for his work in the Puerto Rican arts community; and

WHEREAS, Carlos Hernandez Falcon is a nationally recognized arts leader and cultural advocate with more than 30 years of experience in advancing Puerto Rican and Latino arts, education, and community development; and

WHEREAS, Carlos Hernandez Falcon, born in Chicago to parents from Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico, was raised in South Chicago and overcame early challenges to become a steadfast champion of youth and the arts; he holds degrees in urban planning and business management and has completed leadership programs at Northwestern University and Stanford University; and

WHEREAS, Carlos Hernandez Falcon founded the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance (PRAA) in his home's basement in 1996 with a vision to preserve Puerto Rican heritage and uplift youth through culturally relevant arts programming; under his leadership as executive director for nearly 28 years, PRAA has grown into one of Chicago's most respected Latino cultural institutions, now serving over 30,000 individuals annually; and

WHEREAS, Carlos Hernandez Falcon has led the creation of transformative programs, including tuition-free Cuatro and guitar lessons, the Latin Music Project, and community events such as the Emmy Award-winning National Cuatro Festival; his leadership has been instrumental in fundraising efforts, acquiring over $2.5 million to restore a historic firehouse into Chicago's first Puerto Rican music and arts center, and he later launched a $6 million expansion campaign; and

WHEREAS, Carlos Hernandez Falcon has forged major partnerships with the Chicago Philharmonic, Lyric Opera, and cultural organizations across the U.S. and Puerto Rico; through initiatives such as Somos Un Solo Pueblo and Caribe Clasico, he has brought together thousands in celebration of shared Latino heritage; and

WHEREAS, Carlos Hernandez Falcon has also ensured the preservation of Puerto Rican history through launching El Archivo, a digital archive encompassing the history of Puerto Rican migration, and through curating landmark exhibitions, such as Ponce in Chicago and Colonial Portraits; his work has also extended internationally through a PRAA satellite office in Puerto Rico and aid efforts following Hurricane Maria; and

WHEREAS, Carlos Hernandez Falcon's civic impact has included founding roles in ENRICH Chicago and the Chicago Latino Theater Alliance and advisory roles for the City of Chicago; his honors have included the Field Foundation's Leaders for a New Chicago Award, Crain's Notable Latino Leaders, and multiple cultural achievement awards; and

WHEREAS, Carlos Hernandez Falcon's work has been defined by visionary leadership, cultural pride, and a deep belief in the power of the arts to inspire, educate, and transform communities; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we commend Carlos Hernandez Falcon for his work in the Puerto Rican arts community, and we thank him for his continued commitment to advancing the arts in the State and beyond; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Carlos Hernandez Falcon as an expression of our esteem and respect.