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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The Illinois Senate recognizes that the 
3sequencing of the human genome is one of the most significant 
4scientific accomplishments of the past hundred years and 
5expresses support for the goals and ideals of Human Genome 
6Month and DNA Day; and
  
 
7    WHEREAS, April 25, 2018 will be the 65th anniversary of the 
8publication of the description of the double-helix structure of 
9deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in Nature magazine by James D. 
10Watson and Francis H.C. Crick, which is considered by many 
11scientists to be one of the most significant scientific 
12discoveries of the twentieth century; and
  
 
13    WHEREAS, Their discovery launched a field of inquiry that 
14explained how DNA carries biological information in the genetic 
15code and how this information is duplicated and passed from 
16generation to generation, forming the stream of life that 
17connects us all to our ancestors and to our descendants; and
  
 
18    WHEREAS, This field of inquiry in turn was crucial to the 
19founding and continued growth of the field of biotechnology, 
20which has led to historic scientific and economic advances for 
21the world, advances in which the people of the United States 
22have played a leading role and from which they have realized 
 
 
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1significant benefits; and
 
2    WHEREAS, April of 2018 marks the 15th anniversary of 
3completion of the international Human Genome Project, a 
4research effort led in the United States by the National Human 
5Genome Research Institute to sequence the DNA base pairs of the 
6human genome for the first time and make this information 
7freely available to the public; and
  
 
8    WHEREAS, The Human Genome Project has provided an exemplary 
9model for social responsibility in scientific research, by 
10devoting significant resources to studying the ethical, legal, 
11and social implications of the project; and
  
 
12    WHEREAS, The National Human Genome Research Institute has 
13designated April of 2018 as "Human Genome Month" in celebration 
14of the completion of the sequencing of the human genome and 
15April 25, 2018 as "DNA Day" in celebration of the 65th 
16anniversary of the publication of the description of the 
17structure of DNA on April 25, 1953; therefore, be it
  
 
18    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL 
19ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare April 25, 
202018 as "DNA Day" in the State of Illinois; and be it further
  
 
21    RESOLVED, That schools, museums, cultural organizations, 
 
 
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1and other educational institutions are encouraged to recognize 
2Human Genome Month and DNA Day with appropriate programs and 
3activities centered on human genomics.