HJ0131

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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The Illinois General Assembly wishes to present 
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this resolution as a tribute to and acknowledgement of the 
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contributions of Illinois residents of Sudanese descent to our 
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State and our nation and to humanitarian efforts worldwide; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Illinois residents of Sudanese descent, including 
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Chicago Bulls star forward Luol Deng who was born in Wau, 
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Sudan, have done extraordinary work to speak out against war 
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and genocide in their native land and to build a vibrant 
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Sudanese community in our State; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Organizations, including the Sudanese Community 
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Association of Illinois, the Chicago Association for the Lost 
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Boys of Sudan, Sudanese Community Church, Darfur Association of 
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Illinois, and the Chicago Coalition to Save Darfur have 
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mobilized countless volunteers to oppose war and genocide in 
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the Sudan, to support humanitarian efforts there, and to 
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provide opportunities for Illinois residents of Sudanese 
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descent to succeed in their new homes and become United States 
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citizens; and

 
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    WHEREAS, There are large communities of Illinois residents 
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of Sudanese descent in the Chicagoland area, particularly in 
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DuPage County and the North side of Chicago, many of whom are 
 


 






HJ0131
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leaders in their communities; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Illinois is proud of the accomplishments of its 
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Sudanese residents, many of whom have struggled against 
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overwhelming odds and fled war and genocide to establish homes 
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in Illinois; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Illinois residents of Sudanese descent have 
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specific needs related to culturally sensitive child care, 
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English as a Second Language education, job-training, credit 
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and consumer counseling, and women's empowerment; therefore, 
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be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE 
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SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that the Illinois General Assembly 
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supports the development of a Sudanese Community Center and 
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recognizes the tremendous contributions of Illinois residents 
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of Sudanese descent and the need to address the challenges they 
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still face; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to leaders of Illinois' Sudanese community as an 
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expression of our utmost respect and esteem.