HR1026 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1026 LRB102 29751 LAW 41815 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize the late Honorable Jacob L. Oulanyah, the former Speaker of the 11th Parliament of Uganda, who passed away in March 2022; and

WHEREAS, Jacob Oulanyah made history in 2017 when he led the largest delegation out of Uganda at one time to attend the RESET America - RESET Africa conference organized by the Global Impact Leadership Alliance (GILA), which was founded by CEO Larita Rice-Barnes, Senior Pastor of Empowerment of Grace-USA and Empowerment of Grace-Uganda and the wife of Juard M. Barnes, the chief consultant for GILA and a principle of The Rehoboth Project; and

WHEREAS, Jacob Oulanyah was a champion of connecting Africa to America; he was a proud supporter of the work of Empowerment Of Grace and GILA, which was founded in St. Louis and has expanded to working in Illinois and Indiana; GILA is committed to meet the extensive needs of the ever-changing world through its resources and relationships formed on a global level and currently touches the four continents of North America, South America, Africa, and Asia; and

WHEREAS, Jacob Oulanyah was elected to the Parliament of Uganda to represent the people of Omoro County in the Gulu District of Northern Uganda; before he was elected deputy speaker, he practiced law under J. L. Oulanyah & Attorneys; he possessed specialized training in legal and legislative drafting and had experience in drafting laws and agreements, including peace agreements; he also taught legislative drafting and constitutional law to postgraduate law students at the Law Development Centre; and

WHEREAS, GILA has strategically identified key leaders from across the globe who are skilled in their craft and have a passion to lead, train, and develop other world-class leaders through foreign exchange and the use of its resources and global relationships; the organization identified the Hon. Oulanyah as one of those leaders; and

WHEREAS, GILA brings together heads of state, key policy makers, civic leaders, mayors, senators, house representatives, key personnel, business and organization owners, everyday citizens, stakeholders, and many more, providing a platform for cultural, education, and economic exchange; and

WHEREAS, GILA convened its sixth RESET America - RESET Africa Conference under the theme Time is Now: "Finishing What We Started: Securing Our Future, Establishing A Legacy" at Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis, Missouri from November 16 to November 19, 2022; the event was hosted by President LaTonia Collins Smith, Ed.D., the university's 21st president; and

WHEREAS, GILA's sixth annual RESET America - RESET Africa conference included a delegation from the Parliament of Uganda, which was led by the Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, Deputy Speaker of the 11th Parliament of Uganda; and

WHEREAS, During the conference, a memorial tribute to the late Hon. Jacob L. Oulanyah was held; his son, the Hon. Andrew Oulanyah, traveled from Uganda to attend; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the late Honorable Jacob L. Oulanyah for his service and leadership; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we congratulate Global Impact Leadership Alliance (GILA) and its founder and CEO, Larita Rice-Barnes, for her remarkable success in organizing these global efforts, which will serve as a gateway for building international relationships and promote solidarity, economic development, and leadership; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Pastor Larita Rice-Barnes and the Hon. Andrew Oulanyah as an expression of our esteem and respect.