SR0366 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0366 LRB102 18831 ECR 27540 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn about the death of Alice "Alicia" G. Hernandez of Waukegan, who passed away on June 4, 2021; and

WHEREAS, While raising five young children, Alice Hernandez decided to attend the College of Lake County to earn her associate's degree; she then attended Northeastern University where she earned her bachelor's degree and master's degree while working part time as a lunchroom assistant; and

WHEREAS, Alice Hernandez became a full-time bilingual and special educational paraprofessional; she worked at North Elementary, Whittier Elementary, Webster Junior High School, and Waukegan East High School between the years of 1975 and 1990; she then worked at the College of Lake County as a student recruiter; and

WHEREAS, In the fall of 1991, Alice Hernandez started advising the Latino Club at the College of Lake County; some of the events and activities that the club organized and initiated that are still active today include the Traditional Valentines Flower Sale, the Samuel Lopez Scholarship Dance and Dinner now known as the Alicia Hernandez Scholarship Banquet, participation in the September 16 Waukegan Parade, the annual U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute Conference trip, Hispanic Heritage Month events, hosting Latino speakers, such as Samuel Betances, Chuy Negrete, Carlos Mensilla and others, providing Latino food on campus, Latin dance lessons, organizing food and toy drives for Latinx families, the first Latinx Talent Showcase, college visits, the Day of the Dead celebration, summer camping trips, and volunteer work; she was committed to supporting all of College of the Lake County's Latinx students; she taught students to be proud of their heritage and encouraged them to finish their degrees; she formed a network of students to share important college resources and organize fundraising activities to provide scholarships for Latinx students regardless of immigration status; she provided a welcoming and friendly presence, and her kindness and support encouraged many; and

WHEREAS, Alice Hernandez loved music and had a special love for Mexican music; she enjoyed going for long rides with her dad, dancing, teaching bilingual classes as well as Catechism Class, encouraging the youth to continue their education, cooking breakfast, being surrounded by family, listening to her husband play the guitar, and going to the Wisconsin Dells with her family; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Alice "Alicia" G. Hernandez and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

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