HR0797

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HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
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    WHEREAS, Dr. Daisaku Ikeda, president of Soka Gakkai 
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International (SGI), a global association of lay Buddhists with 
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more than 12 million members in 192 countries, including 5,000 
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in the State of Illinois, has been a pioneer in 
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citizen-diplomacy and has courageously pursued efforts to 
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build a culture of peace through active engagement in 
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grassroots dialogue; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, Dr. Daisaku Ikeda has spent the past 40 years 
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tirelessly engaging in more than 1,500 dialogues for peace with 
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such noted world leaders as historian Dr. Arnold Toynbee, 
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former South African President Nelson Mandela, former Soviet 
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Union President Mikhail Gorbachev, former U.S. Secretary of 
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State Henry Kissinger, and civil rights leader Rosa Parks, in 
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order to demonstrate how the power of one person's 
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determination to build a culture of peace can change the 
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destiny of all humankind; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, Dr. Daisaku Ikeda established the Soka education 
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system, including the Soka University of America in California, 
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Soka University in Japan, and the Soka school system in several 
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countries around the world to provide an educational 
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environment that prepares youth to become global leaders 
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skilled in dialogue and diplomacy, and motivated by compassion 
 


 






HR0797
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LRB096 16429 GRL 31696 r




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for humanity and the planet; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, SGI members in Illinois follow Dr. Ikeda's example 
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by working to foster the development of youth and contribute to 
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peace, culture, and education within their respective 
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communities; 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 we 
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congratulate Dr. Daisaku Ikeda, president of Soka Gakkai 
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International, on the occasion of his 82nd birthday and 
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designate January 2, 2010 as "Daisaku Ikeda Day" in the State 
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of Illinois for his efforts to promote peace and for teaching 
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by example that the key to a contributive and happy life is to 
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live with courage and hope; and be it further
  
 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to Dr. Daisaku Ikeda as a symbol of our esteem and 
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respect.