HR1262 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1262 LRB099 21931 GRL 48922 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to thank Sam Ma for his work for Chicago's Chinatown community and for the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Sam Ma is the owner of the B.B.Q. King House in Chicago; he is also a former President of the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, President of the Chicago Freemason Association and Chinatown Square Mall Association, a former Treasurer of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, and a founder and Honorary Chair of the American and Asian Association; and

WHEREAS, Sam made his mark in Chinatown's business community in 1993 through his service with the Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce; as Vice President and President of the Chamber, he organized the Annual Moon Festival; in 1999, he joined Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley's Budget Committee, where one of his pet projects was to provide funds that could help ensure healthy economic growth in Chicago neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS, In addition to Chinatown and the City of Chicago, Sam Ma was nationally recognized by the American Red Cross; he led a fundraising effort that raised $35,000 for 9/11 victims and their families with the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association; he led the America Asia Amity Association - Chicago Chapter, in raising over $40,000 to aid the families of the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia; in 2007, he coordinated with U.S. Representative, Danny K. Davis and the Holiday Heroes Foundation to raise funds for holiday gifts for Cystic Fibrosis and cancer patients at Children's Memorial Hospital; he also assisted the Sze Chuan Earthquake Relief Fundraising Committee as well as other organizations in raising $380,000 to help rebuild the Sze Chuan Province after the May 12, 2008 earthquake; and

WHEREAS, Always strongly committed to his neighborhood and neighbors, Sam Ma continued his working relationship with Rep. Davis and other local leaders, focusing on immigration issues, and voter education and registration; in the spring of 2002, he coordinated events for Asian American Heritage Month; since the summer of 2006, he has organized the Temple Street Market Festival, as well as the Chinatown Festival since 2011, to promote Asian and Chinese culture in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Sam Ma has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors for his work in the community, including the Distinguished Chinese Community Service Award from the XinLin Association in 2004; in 2005, he received a Certificate of Outstanding Service from the Filipino American Center for Seniors and the Hall of Fame Award in Business from the Asian American Hall of Fame, U.S.A., and the Outstanding Community Service Award by United States Representative Danny Davis in 2007; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of his longstanding commitment and volunteerism, he has been a member on the Asian Advisory Council for Secretary of State, Jesse White since 2003, and served as Chair in 2013 and 2014; in July of 2009, he was appointed by the Central Government of the People's Republic of China as the State Council of Overseas Commissioner in Chicago; in 2012, he was an elected delegate from the 25th Ward for the Democratic National Convention representing Chicago; he was also a member of President Obama's Presidential Partners with the Democratic National Committee in 2014; and

WHEREAS, Sam Ma serves as a model of hard work, integrity, and dedication for the people of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we thank Sam Ma for his work in Chicago's Chinatown community and the State of Illinois and wish him continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Sam Ma as a symbol of our esteem and respect.