HR0962LRB102 29134 LAW 41069 r


  
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives wish to congratulate the Simeon Career Academy 
4boys basketball team, the Wolverines, on the occasion of its 
5historic visit to Senegal; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, The Wolverines spent six days in the West African 
7country of Senegal, making history in the process by becoming 
8the first team and first group of people to bring a group of 
9young Black men to that part of Africa; and
  
 
10    WHEREAS, The Wolverines' trip came to fruition thanks to 
11Tim Flowers, a Simeon alumnus who will succeed longtime coach 
12Robert Smith after next season, the sponsorship of Simeon 
13alumnus and NBA player Derrick Rose, and the support of fellow 
14assistant coaches Joshua Davis and Jaleni Neely; and
  
 
15    WHEREAS, The Wolverines' Senegal-bound group included the 
16four aforementioned men, a group of chaperones, and 14 members 
17of the team; the group also included former Chicago Bulls 
18teammates and NBA All-Stars Joakim Noah and Luol Deng; and
  
 
19    WHEREAS, The Wolverines immersed themselves in Senegalese 
20culture by trying local cuisine, visiting museums and 
21landmarks, and sightseeing; the group also visited NBA Academy 
 
 
HR0962- 2 -LRB102 29134 LAW 41069 r

1Africa, an elite training center in Senegal for the top male 
2and female basketball prospects from throughout the continent; 
3and
  
 
4    WHEREAS, The Wolverines additionally visited Gorée Island, 
5a tiny island off the coast of Senegal known for its role in 
6the Atlantic slave trade, further providing the team with an 
7eye-opening experience; and
  
 
8    WHEREAS, By visiting Senegal, the Wolverines were given 
9the opportunity to bond from their shared cultural experience 
10and return stronger as a team based on friendship and 
11brotherhood; and
  
 
12    WHEREAS, Coach Flowers has expressed hopes to make Senegal 
13an annual trip; therefore, be it
  
 
14    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
15HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
16we congratulate the Simeon Career Academy boys basketball 
17team, the Wolverines, on its historic visit to Senegal, and we 
18wish the team continued success; and be it further
  
 
19    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
20presented to the Wolverines as an expression of our esteem and 
21respect.