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1
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

  
 





  
2    WHEREAS, As a means of memorializing the victims and the 
3survivors of the Holocaust and other genocides that have 
4occurred throughout history, the Illinois General Assembly 
5joins institutions around the world in recognizing April as 
6Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month; and
 
7    WHEREAS, The goal of Genocide Awareness and Prevention 
8Month is to educate the public about the history of previous 
9and contemporary genocides, the dangers of unchallenged hate 
10and indifference, and the need to encourage citizen engagement 
11through advocacy and action against future genocides; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Many of these genocides have stemmed from events 
13that occurred in the month of April, or have defining moments 
14at that time of year, including Armenia, the Holocaust, 
15Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda, and Darfur; and
 
16    WHEREAS, In 2005, the Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Study 
17Mandate was adopted so that every public elementary school and 
18high school shall include in its curriculum, a unit of 
19instruction studying the events of the Nazi atrocities of 1933 
20to 1945, and an additional unit of instruction studying other 
21acts of genocide across the globe; and
 
 
 
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1    WHEREAS, In 2010, the Illinois Legislature passed the 
2Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission Act, which created 
3the Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission; the commission 
4is dedicated to promoting and providing guidance on Holocaust 
5and genocide education and commemoration across the State; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Many Illinois residents have endured acts of 
7genocide and atrocities in their countries of origin; and
 
8    WHEREAS, The Illinois General Assembly condemns and 
9desires to combat all acts of genocide and atrocities; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Educating the public about the evils of genocide 
11and commemorating victims of genocide, including the adoption 
12of a Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month, are effective 
13tools that will further these goals; therefore, be it
 
14    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL 
15ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
16CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate April 2014 as Genocide 
17Awareness and Prevention Month.