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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, Bronzeville is a center of African-American life 
3and culture in Chicago and is historically known as the city's 
4"Black Metropolis"; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Bronzeville is home to a diverse business 
6community, historic landmarks, and lively events, including 
7the annual Bud Billiken Parade that draws more than one 
8million spectators each August; and
  
 
9    WHEREAS, Bronzeville is known for its rich history and 
10flourishing modern-day renaissance; its cultural contributions 
11are vast, and it brought the world Pulitzer Prize-winner 
12Gwendolyn Brooks, civil rights activist Ida B. Wells, 
13legendary musician Louis Armstrong, founder and publisher of 
14what was the country's most prominent African-American 
15newspaper, the Chicago Defender, and the creator of the Bud 
16Billiken Parade Robert Abbott, and more; and
  
 
  
17    WHEREAS, Bronzeville's remaining historic remnants attract 
18many  to the area; notable surviving structures are the old 
19Chicago Defender Building, the Overton Hygienic Building, the 
20Supreme Life Building, and the Eighth Regiment Armory; and
  
 
21    WHEREAS, An African-American Cultural Center is a 
 
 
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1gathering place for the safe, creative, and critical 
2exploration and celebration of black life, culture, and 
3history; therefore, be it
  
 
4    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
5HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
6we urge the General Assembly to create an African American 
7Cultural Center in the Bronzeville neighborhood in Chicago.