SR0185 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0185 LRB102 17833 LAW 24261 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, On October 23, 1956, over 100,000 ordinary citizens of Hungary became freedom fighters when they revolted against their communist government that was under the influence of the Soviet Union; what started as a peaceful protest turned violent when the protestors were fired upon by security police, which triggered the bloody fight for freedom; and

WHEREAS, The Soviet Union launched a military counteroffensive to suppress the revolt, but not before thousands gave their lives for freedom; more than 200,000 Hungarians fled their country in the aftermath of the Soviet suppression of the Hungarian Uprising, and over 47,000 of these people eventually settled in the United States; and

WHEREAS, On October 23, 1989, the Republic of Hungary declared its independence, which contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union and communism in Eastern Europe; Hungarians led the first revolt against communist occupiers and inspired other captive nations to defend their freedom; and

WHEREAS, Hungary became a member of NATO on March 12, 1999 and a member of the European Union on May 1, 2004; as a former Warsaw Pact nation, Hungary has proven itself as a reliable military ally in support against the global war on terrorism and as a provider of humanitarian aid in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is proud to be called home by a large number of Hungarians; Hungarian Americans and their descendants have contributed greatly to the economic development, multicultural diversity, and enrichment of all aspects of life in the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare October 23, 2021 as Hungarian Freedom Fighters Day and declare the month of October 2021 as Hungarian Freedom Month.