HR1361LRB099 22458 MST 49881 r


  
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives wish to recognize Nancy Gianni, founder of 
4Gigi's Playhouse, on being designated as one of CNN's Heroes in 
52016; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, Over 450,000 individuals with Down syndrome live 
7in the United States; counting affected parents and siblings, 
8over two million people deal with  the diagnosis every single 
9day; those that have Down syndrome and their families  face 
10challenges that can stifle happiness, achievement, and 
11acceptance; it takes a  great deal of  work to give people with 
12Down syndrome a fighting chance for a full and happy life; and
  
 
13    WHEREAS, Nancy Gianni envisioned a better world, one full 
14of potential and acceptance; the first GiGi's Playhouse Down 
15Syndrome Achievement Center opened 12 years ago; open to all, 
16GiGi's is a place for families and the community to learn about 
17and celebrate the diagnosis of Down syndrome and benefit from 
18free therapeutic and educational programs; today there are 31 
19free-standing Playhouses throughout the United States and 
20Mexico, serving more than 25,000 participants and families; 
21programs are offered 100% free to all families so that cost 
22will never be a barrier to achievement and acceptance; and
  
 
 
 
HR1361- 2 -LRB099 22458 MST 49881 r

1    WHEREAS, CNN Heroes is a year-long initiative that honors 
2everyday people for their selfless, creative efforts to help 
3others; 2016 marks the tenth year of the Peabody Award-winning, 
4Emmy-nominated campaign; each year, CNN receives thousands of 
5nominations from around the world; since 2007, the campaign has 
6profiled more than 200 CNN Heroes who are working in more than 
780 countries around the world, helping hundreds of thousands of 
8people; and
  
 
  
9    WHEREAS, Millions are in need of feeling the touch of love 
10that is GiGi's Playhouse; therefore, be it
  
 
11    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
12NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
13recognize Nancy Gianni, founder of Gigi's Playhouse, on being 
14designated as one of CNN's Heroes in 2016; and be it further
  
 
15    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
16presented to Nancy Gianni as an expression of our esteem and 
17respect.