HR0647

LRB096 13709 GRL 28474 r






1

HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
2
    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of  
3
Representatives are pleased to honor the lives and legacies of 
4
those persons who make a positive impact on the citizens of the 
5
State of Illinois; and

 
6
    WHEREAS, Christopher Canning was regarded in the Taekwondo 
7
community as an outstanding young competitor; he was a member 
8
of the 1999 U.S. Elite Team as well as 11 State martial arts 
9
teams; he was invited to participate with the 2001 U.S. Gold 
10
Team; he was also the winner of 15 State and 3 national titles; 
11
and

 
12
    WHEREAS, Christopher Canning was an inductee in 2 U.S., 2 
13
World, and 10 International Halls of Fame in such categories as 
14
Junior Martial Arts Legend, World's Outstanding Junior Martial 
15
Artist, North America's Outstanding Junior Martial Artist, and 
16
Outstanding Junior Martial Artist of the Past Decade; 18 
17
martial arts legends throughout the world have paid tribute to 
18
his many achievements; 12 special organization awards have also 
19
been given for his work; and

 
20
    WHEREAS, Christopher Canning was the topic of 6 articles in 
21
national and international martial arts magazines; he was also 
22
featured on the cover of the Spring 2009 issue of USA Taekwondo 
 


 






HR0647
- 2 -
LRB096 13709 GRL 28474 r




1
News; and

 
2
    WHEREAS, Christopher Canning was the recipient of 2 
3
President's Volunteer Service Awards from President George W. 
4
Bush and the Points of Light Foundation; he was also honored 
5
with the Legacy of Service Award from the Secretary General of 
6
the Youth Assembly of the United Nations; and

 
7
    WHEREAS, In recognition of his contributions to Taekwondo, 
8
10 competitor awards and 5 scholarships are now given in 
9
Christopher Canning's name in the United States and abroad; 
10
since 2001, 45 national, international, and world champions 
11
have received a Christopher Canning Outstanding Competitor 
12
Award at major martial arts championships or Hall of Fame 
13
events; and

 
14
    WHEREAS, Christopher Canning was an academically solid 
15
student who consistently appeared on his school's honor roll; 
16
he played the classical piano for 4 years and performed in 3 
17
recitals; he also played the drums in his school band, helping 
18
his team to win a State championship; and

 
19
    WHEREAS, Christopher Canning had a great love of animals; 
20
he would help his grandparents with their animal shelter on 
21
weekdays and would help with animal adoption efforts during the 
22
weekends; he also had a special bond with his beloved dog, Max; 
 


 






HR0647
- 3 -
LRB096 13709 GRL 28474 r




1
and
 
2
    WHEREAS, Christopher Canning will be remembered fondly by 
3
his fellow martial artists, the members of this body, and 
4
martial arts fans throughout the world not only for his many 
5
accolades and accomplishments, but also for the legacy of hard 
6
work and integrity he created both on and off the mat; 
7
therefore, be it

 
8
    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
9
NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
10
honor the life and legacy of Christopher James Canning and 
11
mourn the loss of this young man many years before his time; 
12
and be it further

 
13
    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
14
presented to the family of  Christopher Canning as a symbol of 
15
our esteem and respect.