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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The Tamil community of Illinois has made
3significant contributions to our State's diverse culture and
4population, including preserving and promoting peace,
5togetherness, and the rich heritage of the Tamil language; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Members of the Illinois Tamil community have
7achieved immense success and developed instrumental
8partnerships with their fellow residents, while simultaneously
9honoring their heritage and sharing the Tamil language in the
10course of their daily lives; and
 
11    WHEREAS, The Tamil language is central to Tamil identity
12and is recognized as one of the world's longest surviving
13written and spoken languages, dating back more than 2,500
14years; the Tamil language is widely spoken in southern India,
15Singapore, and Sri Lanka, as well as many other communities
16around the world; and
 
17    WHEREAS, The Tamil language is the 20th most common
18language, spoken by approximately 76 million people globally,
19including many Illinois residents; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Chicago Tamil Sangam, the oldest Tamil
21organization in North America, celebrated its golden jubilee

 

 

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1from July 4-7, 2019 in conjunction with the 10th World Tamil
2Conference in Schaumburg; and
 
3    WHEREAS, During the month of January, members of the Tamil
4community celebrate Pongal, a harvest festival spanning four
5days; Tamil Language and Culture Week provides an opportunity
6to share the culture of the Tamil community with Illinois
7citizens and to recognize centuries of Tamil traditions;
8therefore, be it
 
9    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
10HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
11we declare the week of January 13-17, 2020 as Tamil Language
12and Culture Week in Illinois.