SR0757 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0757 LRB101 14571 ALS 63474 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Raymond "Ray" Oshana; and

WHEREAS, Ray Oshana was born in Baghdad on May 17, 1951; he came to the United States as a young man and started the Assyrian Athletic Club in 1970; since its inception, the Club has supported thousands of Assyrian youth and will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year; and

WHEREAS, Ray Oshana helped found the East Bird Band, which composed an iconic Assyrian Nationalist song, despite the fact that the band members did not know how to play musical instruments when they began; and

WHEREAS, Ray Oshana was an active member of many civic organizations, including the Assyrian American Association of Chicago; at the time of his passing, he was serving as the Midwest Regional Director for the Assyrian American National Federation; his name was well known among the members of the Assyrian community; and

WHEREAS, Ray Oshana was a pioneer in bringing Assyrians into mainstream American politics; he supported dozens of candidates and organized grassroots efforts to support the interests of his community; he exemplified how immigration and the diversity it brings make the nation and local communities stronger; he will be remembered as a kind man with a vibrant personality who worked tirelessly to help Assyrians in Illinois and those facing deadly challenges in the Middle East; and

WHEREAS, Ray Oshana is survived by his wife, Nadia, and his children, Pierre, Ninos, and Mary; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Raymond "Ray" Oshana and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Ray Oshana as an expression of our deepest sympathy.