SJ0059 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0059 LRB096 12298 KXB 25128 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The "With Wings and a Halo - R.E.A.C.H. a Child" program was created to reach out to children across Illinois that find themselves in a crisis situation, whether they are being treated in a Children's Hospital, a domestic violence situation, an automobile accident, or are temporarily homeless or in distress; and

WHEREAS, The mission of R.E.A.C.H. (Reading Enjoyment Affects Childhood Happiness) a Child is "to put a smile on the face of a child in a time of need" through the gift of a book; the program has been a big success in Illinois, with R.E.A.C.H. a Child delivering over 60,000 books nationally in the last 14 months, including 2,200 B.A.C.K. (Become A Cheerful Kid) packets filled with 10 to 12 books each, to the Illinois State Police; and

WHEREAS, The signature red backpacks of the R.E.A.C.H. a Child program are in 4,000 - 5,000 squad cars and ambulances throughout Illinois; the backpacks are found in Cook, McHenry, Lake, Kane, DuPage, LaSalle, Sangamon, and Will Counties, as well as the entire State Police fleet of squad cars; and

WHEREAS, Over 45,000 children's books have been donated to children in crisis situations with the help of these first responders, police officers, Sheriff's offices, and State patrol officers; over 7,500 squad cars and EMS ambulances in Illinois are waiting to get involved in this "B.A.C.K. Packets" program as well; and

WHEREAS, The R.E.A.C.H. a Child program allows first responders to build better relationships with the community youth, help children at their most vulnerable moment in a crisis situation, and promote literacy and crime prevention; and

WHEREAS, There is a tremendous need for more investment and support for the R.E.A.C.H a Child program; the program survives solely on financial donations, in-kind donations, and volunteers to continue to provide the B.A.C.K. Packet program to the various police, fire, and emergency service vehicles; and

WHEREAS, Demand for the R.E.A.C.H a Child program is growing rapidly at the State and national level; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that we applaud the extensive efforts of the "With Wings and A Halo - R.E.A.C.H. a Child" program in the State of Illinois and support efforts to expand the program further; and we declare June 27, 2009 to be "With Wings and A Halo-R.E.A.C.H. a Child Day in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the national and Illinois chapters of the With Wings and a Halo Organization.