HR0240

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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The Illinois Board of Higher Education's reports 
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on college and university enrollment indicate an alarming 
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scarcity of male students of African-American descent 
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currently enrolled and pursuing post-secondary education; and

 
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    WHEREAS, This scarcity makes African-American males, far 
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and away, the least represented demographic group on college 
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and university campuses, both in number and in percentage of 
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total Illinois population; and

 
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    WHEREAS, It is widely recognized that attainment of 
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post-secondary education is a clear indicator of increased 
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earning potential and employment stability, and decreased 
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likelihood of criminal activity and incarceration; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Several organizations and institutions, including 
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the Illinois Committee on Black Concerns in Higher Education, 
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Chicago State University, the University of Illinois at 
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Chicago, the Chicago Urban League, the City Colleges of 
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Chicago, the Chicago Public Schools, the Brother 2 Brother 
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Program of the South Metropolitan Regional Education 
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Consortium, the Illinois Task Force on the Condition of the 
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African American Male, and Macy's Department Stores have formed 
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a working coalition to examine and promote increased support of 
 


 






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African American males in higher education; and

 
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    WHEREAS, This coalition has planned several events and 
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activities during the month of April of 2009 to study those 
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factors contributing to low participation and success of 
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African-American Males in higher education, and to provide 
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resources to improve the success and persistence of current 
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African-American male students; and

 
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    WHEREAS, This legislative body recognizes the importance 
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of increasing the success and persistence of African-American 
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male students to the entire State of Illinois, particularly to 
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the State's welfare and economy; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
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the month of April, 2009 be recognized as the Month of the 
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African-American Male in Illinois Higher Education; and be it 
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further

 
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    RESOLVED, That this body congratulates the above mentioned 
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coalition for its efforts in raising the public's awareness of 
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lower than acceptable enrollment and success rates for 
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African-American males on college and university campuses, for 
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examining potential barriers to African-American male student 
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success, for exploring best practices for increasing 
 


 






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African-American male success and participation, and for 
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providing resources and support to currently enrolled 
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African-American male students.