HR0411 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0411 LRB101 12579 MST 61008 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation is the public operating arm of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, the fellowship of American warriors that is exclusively limited to living recipients of the Medal of Honor; and

WHEREAS, Since its creation by Congress and the United States War Department under President Abraham Lincoln in 1861, the Medal of Honor, often called the Congressional Medal of Honor, is the highest-ranking decoration that can be bestowed upon an American warrior for valor on duty in active service, including valor in combat; and

WHEREAS, The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, in its public operating outreach, educates and inspires Americans about the values embodied in the Medal of Honor: courage and sacrifice, commitment and integrity, citizenship and patriotism; and

WHEREAS, These values are essential and increasingly needed in the character development of our current and future generations of Illinois citizens; and

WHEREAS, As of May 20, 2019, there were only 70 living recipients of the Medal of Honor; and

WHEREAS, To keep alive and expand the public understanding and celebration of the Medal of Honor and to pay respect to the character traits which it represents, the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation will host the Salute to the Medal of Honor and Distinguished Citizens Award events in Chicago on June 6 through June 8, 2019; and

WHEREAS, During these events, the Distinguished Citizens Award will be presented to exceptional Americans who exemplify leadership and service and inspire others by selflessly giving of time and talent to the community and the nation; and

WHEREAS, The Crown Family descended from Henry Crown (1896-1990) and his son Lester Crown (born 1925) of Chicago; the Crown Family will be honored in June 2019 by the Foundation's Distinguished Citizens Award; and

WHEREAS, The bestowing of the Distinguished Citizens Award on the Crown Family and the events of the Salute to the Medal of Honor celebration will mark the 20th Anniversary of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation and its operations of public outreach and character education; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we join the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation in honoring the Crown Family and their long and distinguished history in the Chicago area and around the world and their long tradition of service to their communities; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we welcome the Salute to the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Citizens Award, hosted by the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, to Illinois and wish the Foundation, its guests, and its honorees a distinguished experience in the Chicago area; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we redouble this welcome with respect to those recipients of the Medal of Honor who are able to take part in these honors and ceremonies in person; and be it further

RESOLVED, That for those recipients of the Medal of Honor who are alive but cannot attend these events, know that you will always be present in the hearts of the people of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we call upon the people of Illinois to take within ourselves the moral lesson of the Medal of Honor, as recognized and celebrated by the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, as essential elements in the character development of we Americans as a people; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Louis R. Chênevert, the Chairman of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, and to John Glotzbach, Treasurer of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation.