|
| | SR0949 | | LRB102 27081 MST 38464 r |
|
|
| 1 | | SENATE RESOLUTION
|
| 2 | | WHEREAS, The day of April 1 is annually celebrated as the |
| 3 | | Assyrian New Year and is also known as Kha b'Nissan or Akitu; |
| 4 | | and
|
| 5 | | WHEREAS, The Assyrian New Year is known to be the oldest |
| 6 | | celebration in history and is not only the first day of the new |
| 7 | | year but also marks the start of spring and serves as a symbol |
| 8 | | of revival; and
|
| 9 | | WHEREAS, This New Year marks year 6772 in the Assyrian |
| 10 | | calendar; in ancient Assyria, the Assyrian New Year festival |
| 11 | | was celebrated for 12 days, coinciding with the Spring |
| 12 | | Equinox; and
|
| 13 | | WHEREAS, The Assyrian New Year is recognized and |
| 14 | | celebrated by millions of Assyrians around the world in the |
| 15 | | form of festivals, parades, and parties; men and women will |
| 16 | | gather in traditional clothes and dance in open areas such as |
| 17 | | parks and community centers, and speeches and poetry will be |
| 18 | | shared; and
|
| 19 | | WHEREAS, The Assyrian community has a vibrant history and |
| 20 | | heritage rooted in ancient traditions; ancient tablets detail |
| 21 | | magnificent Akitu festivities as they were celebrated |
|
| | SR0949 | - 2 - | LRB102 27081 MST 38464 r |
|
|
| 1 | | thousands of years ago; some ancient traditions have survived, |
| 2 | | such as the practice of hanging flowers from Assyrian homes, |
| 3 | | known as Diqna d'Nissan or the 'beard of spring';
and
|
| 4 | | WHEREAS, In their various countries of origin, including |
| 5 | | Iraq, Syria, Turkey, and Iran, governing authorities |
| 6 | | historically infringed on the cultural and linguistic rights |
| 7 | | of Assyrians and prohibited public celebrations of the |
| 8 | | Assyrian New Year; and
|
| 9 | | WHEREAS, For Assyrians, both in Illinois and across the |
| 10 | | nation, celebrating the Assyrian New Year serves as a vital |
| 11 | | link to preserving their history and culture; and
|
| 12 | | WHEREAS, According to the Assyrian Policy Institute, |
| 13 | | Illinois is home to more than 80,000 Assyrian Americans; and
|
| 14 | | WHEREAS, The Assyrian New Year serves to remind the State |
| 15 | | of Illinois of the many substantial contributions the Assyrian |
| 16 | | community has made to Illinois and the social fabric of our |
| 17 | | state; and
|
| 18 | | WHEREAS, It is imperative that members of the Assyrian |
| 19 | | community across the globe feel seen, valued, and encouraged |
| 20 | | to celebrate and preserve their cultural heritage; therefore, |
| 21 | | be it
|
|
| | SR0949 | - 3 - | LRB102 27081 MST 38464 r |
|
|
| 1 | | RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL |
| 2 | | ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF |
| 3 | | REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that we express our support |
| 4 | | for the Assyrian community and the preservation of a vibrant |
| 5 | | history and heritage rooted in ancient traditions; and be it |
| 6 | | further
|
| 7 | | RESOLVED, That we declare April 1, 2022 as "Assyrian New |
| 8 | | Year Day" in the State of Illinois in honor of our fellow |
| 9 | | Illinois residents who celebrate their heritage on this day.
|