HR0500 EnrolledLRB098 12695 GRL 47141 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION 500

 
2    WHEREAS, 2013 marks the 170th anniversary of B'nai B'rith
3International; and
 
4    WHEREAS, The organization was founded on the Lower East
5Side of New York to improve the lives of new German Jewish
6immigrants to America; and
 
7    WHEREAS, B'nai B'rith is the oldest service organization
8founded in the United States and has an unparalleled record of
9aiding humanity in communities throughout the United States and
10more than 50 other nations (the American Red Cross, which was
11founded 38 years later, was co-founded by a B'nai B'rith
12member); and
 
13    WHEREAS, B'nai B'rith has provided over $100 million in
14cash, medical equipment, and supplies to victims of disasters
15worldwide since 1868; and
 
16    WHEREAS, B'nai B'rith is a strong and vocal advocate for
17the promotion of the State of Israel and has had an active
18presence in Israel since 1888; and
 
19    WHEREAS, B'nai B'rith has had an active presence as an NGO
20at the United Nations since its founding and is the only Jewish

 

 

HR0500 Enrolled- 2 -LRB098 12695 GRL 47141 r

1NGO with full-time representation at the United Nations in New
2York and its agencies in Europe and Latin America; and
 
3    WHEREAS, B'nai B'rith is America's largest Jewish sponsor
4of federally-funded housing for seniors with limited income,
5provides safe, comfortable, and affordable housing for seniors
6without regard for race, religion, and ethnicity, and has an
7international network of senior living facilities; and
 
8    WHEREAS, B'nai B'rith is widely acclaimed as a forceful
9advocate for senior citizens, with a special emphasis on
10protecting Social Security and Medicare and in supporting
11health care reform for all; and
 
12    WHEREAS, B'nai B'rith has a 100-year record of commitment
13to cultural diversity, tolerance, and understanding,
14complemented by the Diverse Minds Youth Writing Challenge,
15through which high school students write and illustrate books;
16B'nai B'rith publishes the books for elementary school
17children, teaching them the values of tolerance and diversity;
18and
 
19    WHEREAS, B'nai B'rith members in local communities provide
20countless hours of service to local projects to better the
21communities in which they live; and
 

 

 

HR0500 Enrolled- 3 -LRB098 12695 GRL 47141 r

1    WHEREAS, The B'nai B'rith International president, Mr.
2Allan J. Jacobs, is a resident of Lake Forest; therefore, be it
 
3    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
4NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
5we designate October 13, 2013 as B'nai B'rith Day in the State
6of Illinois.