HR0394 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0394 LRB104 13936 ECR 26849 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Month of Francophonie, known as Le Mois de la Francophonie, is observed throughout the month of March to celebrate the diversity, vitality, and shared values of the global Francophone community; and

WHEREAS, The International Francophonie Day, known as Journee Internationale de la Francophonie, is celebrated by the International Organization of La Francophonie and across the globe annually on March 20 to recognize the 369 million French speakers worldwide and to honor the cultural, linguistic, and historic contributions of French-speaking peoples; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is home to a rich and lasting French heritage rooted in its early exploration, settlement, and trade by French colonists in the 17th and 18th centuries, with historical ties still visible in towns, traditions, and in the names of places across the State; and

WHEREAS, Illinois is a proud member of the French Heritage Corridor, a multistate and binational cultural initiative dedicated to highlighting and preserving the historic presence and legacy of French explorers, traders, and settlers along the Mississippi River and beyond; and

WHEREAS, Communities across Illinois, including those in Cook County, Lake County, Kankakee County, Tazewell County, and Randolph County, continue to reflect and honor the State's French and Francophone influence through cultural institutions, historic sites, education, and public events; and

WHEREAS, The continued recognition of Francophone culture enhances the State's commitment to multiculturalism, education, and international engagement; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare March 2025 as French Heritage Month and March 20, 2025 as French Heritage Day in the State of Illinois to celebrate the linguistic and cultural heritage of French-speaking communities and to promote the values of diversity, cooperation, and cultural exchange; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the Consulate General of France in Chicago and the Illinois Office of Tourism as a symbol of our esteem and respect.