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| 1 | SENATE RESOLUTION | ||||||
| 2 | WHEREAS, General John A. Logan, born in Jackson County on | ||||||
| 3 | February 9, 1826, rose to national prominence as a courageous | ||||||
| 4 | leader, serving with distinction as a major general in the | ||||||
| 5 | Union Army during the American Civil War, earning the respect | ||||||
| 6 | of his troops and fellow commanders for his courage, strategic | ||||||
| 7 | brilliance, and unwavering commitment to the preservation of | ||||||
| 8 | the United States; and | ||||||
| 9 | WHEREAS, Gen. Logan's early political career reflected the | ||||||
| 10 | divided sentiments of a nation in turmoil, yet his personal | ||||||
| 11 | journey stands as a testament to the power of growth and | ||||||
| 12 | conviction, transforming from a defender of slavery to a | ||||||
| 13 | passionate advocate for the Union and equal rights; and | ||||||
| 14 | WHEREAS, Gen. Logan's evolution was not merely political, | ||||||
| 15 | but deeply moral, embodied in his wartime leadership, post-war | ||||||
| 16 | advocacy for veterans, and commitment to civil liberties and | ||||||
| 17 | education as a U.S. senator from Illinois; and | ||||||
| 18 | WHEREAS, Gen. Logan's most enduring legacy as | ||||||
| 19 | commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) is | ||||||
| 20 | the nationalization of Memorial Day through the issuance of | ||||||
| 21 | General Order No. 11 in 1868, establishing a national | ||||||
| 22 | tradition of honoring those who gave their lives in service to | ||||||
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| 1 | the country; and | ||||||
| 2 | WHEREAS, Gen. Logan's leadership, both on the battlefield | ||||||
| 3 | and in public service, exemplifies a lifelong commitment to | ||||||
| 4 | unity, justice, and national healing in the aftermath of the | ||||||
| 5 | Civil War, and his life story serves as a beacon of hope and a | ||||||
| 6 | powerful reminder that personal transformation can inspire | ||||||
| 7 | national progress; and | ||||||
| 8 | WHEREAS, The year 2026 marks the 200th anniversary of the | ||||||
| 9 | birth of Gen. Logan, Civil War hero, statesman, and founder of | ||||||
| 10 | Memorial Day, and coincides with America 250, the nation's | ||||||
| 11 | semiquincentennial celebration, offering a powerful | ||||||
| 12 | opportunity to reflect on his enduring legacy and the values | ||||||
| 13 | that have shaped the United States for nearly two and a half | ||||||
| 14 | centuries; and | ||||||
| 15 | WHEREAS, Gen. Logan's contributions remain deeply relevant | ||||||
| 16 | today, preserved and shared through museums, veterans' | ||||||
| 17 | organizations, and civic institutions dedicated to honoring | ||||||
| 18 | service, sacrifice, and historical memory, including the | ||||||
| 19 | General John A. Logan Museum, which continues to steward his | ||||||
| 20 | legacy and inspire future generations to reflect on the | ||||||
| 21 | enduring values of courage, justice, and the capacity for | ||||||
| 22 | change; therefore, be it | ||||||
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| 1 | RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL | ||||||
| 2 | ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare 2026 as the | ||||||
| 3 | Year of General John A. Logan in the State of Illinois, | ||||||
| 4 | coinciding with the America 250 celebration, and we recognize | ||||||
| 5 | the life and legacy of General John A. Logan, not only for his | ||||||
| 6 | military and civic achievements, but for his remarkable | ||||||
| 7 | journey of enlightenment and his enduring impact on the | ||||||
| 8 | American conscience; and be it further | ||||||
| 9 | RESOLVED, That we encourage educational programs, | ||||||
| 10 | commemorative events, and public reflection on the legacy of a | ||||||
| 11 | man whose life helped shape the soul of a nation. | ||||||