HR0092 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0092 LRB098 10816 MST 41285 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Mujeres Latinas en Accion (Mujeres) is the oldest Latina serving organization in the nation; and

WHEREAS, Mujeres was founded in 1973 in response to a Latina Leadership conference, La Mujer Despierta, held in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Mujeres is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2013; and

WHEREAS, Mujeres has been dedicated for 40 years to empowering Latinas and their families; the organization, based in Pilsen, is non-profit and has national influence; and

WHEREAS, Mujeres Latinas en Accion empowers Latinas by providing services which reflect their values and culture and being an advocate on the issues that make a difference in their live; and

WHEREAS, In the past year alone, Mujeres Latinas en Accion served 10,671 people in direct services, a 26% increase since fiscal year 2011; and

WHEREAS, Mujeres has received national recognition as the leading community-based organization in providing culturally proficient services in the areas of domestic violence, sexual assault, parent support, homelessness prevention, youth development, and Latina leadership; and

WHEREAS, One in 4 Latinas will become victims of domestic violence, Mujeres' nationally-recognized Domestic Violence Program was established in 1981 and serves more than 1,000 individuals annually through one office in Chicago and a suburban office in North Riverside; and

WHEREAS, Latinas in the U.S. are the fastest growing segment among entrepreneurs even as the economy continues to struggle; nearly one million businesses in the U.S. are owned by Latinas (almost 40 percent of all Hispanic owned businesses) generating hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue annually; Latinas are opening businesses at 6 times the national average; in response to this trend, Mujeres created a new microenterprise program called Empresarias del Futuro; and

WHEREAS, During Mujeres' most recently completed fiscal year, members of the Latina Leadership Program helped the organization reach and naturalize 1,346 new citizens; during the midterm elections, Mujeres leaders were active in registering 346 new voters and mobilizing 2,485 voters to the polls in 17 precincts and 3 ward; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we applaud and honor Mujeres Latinas en Accion for 40 years of dedicated service; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Mujeres Latinas en Accion (Mujeres) as a symbol of our respect and esteem.