HR0359

LRB095 11495 KXB 32651 r






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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, Kendall Ciesemier, an esteemed resident of 
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Wheaton and a student at Franklin Middle School in Wheaton, has 
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achieved national recognition for exemplary volunteer service 
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by being named one of the two  top volunteers in the State of 
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Illinois in the 2007 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards; and

 
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    WHEREAS, This prestigious award, presented by Prudential 
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Financial in partnership with the National Association of 
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Secondary School Principals, honors young volunteers across 
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America who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to 
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serving their communities; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Kendall, an eighth-grade student, formed a 
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nonprofit organization that has raised $50,000 since 2004 to 
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benefit AIDS orphans in Africa; Kendall, who has faced her own 
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struggles as she underwent two liver transplants, was inspired 
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to volunteer by watching an Oprah Winfrey TV special about the 
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African AIDS epidemic; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Kendall used her own money to adopt an AIDS orphan 
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through World Vision; during her recovery from surgery she made 
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the decision to ask people for money for AIDS orphans in lieu 
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of gifts or flowers for her; Kendall and her family established 
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"Kids Caring 4 Kids", an ongoing effort to raise money through 
 


 






HR0359
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LRB095 11495 KXB 32651 r




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a variety of projects, including a website that accepts 
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donations and sales of T-shirts designed by Kendall herself; 
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and
 
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    WHEREAS, Kendall has raised money and sent it to a village 
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in Zambia to help pay for education, food, and medicine; she 
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frequently speaks to groups about the AIDS epidemic and reaches 
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out to young people to make them aware of the crisis; and
 
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    WHEREAS, The success of the State of Illinois, the strength 
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of our communities, and the overall vitality of American 
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society depend, in great measure, upon the dedication of young 
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people like Kendall Ciesemier who use their considerable 
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talents and resources to serve others; therefore, 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, that we 
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congratulate Kendall Ciesemier on being a recipient of a 2007 
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Prudential Spirit of Community Award, recognizing her 
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outstanding record of volunteer service, peer leadership, and 
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community spirit, and extend our best wishes for her continued 
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success and happiness; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to Kendall Ciesemier as a symbol of our esteem.