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1
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The year 2021 marks 104 years since the Bolshevik
3Revolution in Russia, which resulted in the world's first
4communist regime under Vladimir Lenin; this led to decades of
5oppression and violence under communist regimes throughout the
6world; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Based on the philosophy of Karl Marx, communism
8has proven incompatible with the ideals of liberty,
9prosperity, and dignity of human life and has given rise to
10such infamous totalitarian dictators as Joseph Stalin, Mao
11Zedong, Ho Chi Minh, Pol Pot, Nicolae Ceausescu, the Castro
12brothers, and the Kim dynasty; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Communist regimes worldwide have killed over 100
14million people and subjected countless others to the worst and
15most widespread human rights abuses known to history, with
16victims representing many different ethnicities, creeds, and
17backgrounds; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Communist regimes have, as a matter of government
19policy, robbed their own citizens of the rights of freedom of
20religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of association
21through coercion, brutality, and fear; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Many victims of communism were persecuted as
2political prisoners for speaking out against these regimes,
3and others were killed in genocidal state-sponsored purges;
4and
 
5    WHEREAS, In addition to violating basic human rights,
6communist regimes have suppressed freedom of conscience,
7cultural life, and self-determination movements in over 40
8nations; and
 
9    WHEREAS, A National Day for the Victims of Communism was
10declared on November 7, 2017, condemning communism as a
11political philosophy incompatible with liberty, prosperity,
12and the dignity of human life; and
 
13    WHEREAS, The Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation in
14Washington, D.C. is a nonprofit organization, authorized by a
15unanimous Act of the United States Congress, that educates
16people about the ideology, history, and legacy of communism
17and honors the people who have suffered and died under
18communist regimes; therefore, be it
 
19    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
20HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE
21SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we declare November 7, 2021 as
22Victims of Communism Memorial Day in the State of Illinois;

 

 

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1and be it further
 
2    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
3presented to the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation as a
4symbol of our respect and esteem.