HR0696 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0696 LRB102 26478 MST 36955 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, In 1979 at age 12, Rafael A. Estrada and his family fled Nicaragua during the violent civil war to pursue freedom in America and Galesburg; and

WHEREAS, Rafael Estrada graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science/International Relations and from North Park University in Chicago with a Master of Business Administration; while at Augustana, he met his dear and devoted spouse, Amy Bailie Estrada; together, they had four wonderful children; and

WHEREAS, Rafael Estrada would embody the American Dream and build a successful national and international business career in finance, real estate, and business management; and

WHEREAS, Rafael Estrada would give to his local community in numerous ways, including in service to the Knox County Sheriff's Auxiliary Police, rising through the ranks of sergeant, lieutenant, and chief during his volunteer tenure; and

WHEREAS, Rafael Estrada never forgot his birthplace of Nicaragua and established a foundation, Free and Fair Inc/Nicaraguans for Security and Prosperity, based in Illinois with remote offices in Texas, Costa Rica, and Spain; and

WHEREAS, Rafael Estrada's foundation would provide critical supplies, support, and safety for people oppressed by the Ortega regime inside Nicaragua and for refugees who fled under threats of death, torture, and imprisonment; it also provides help to widows, widowers, and family members of those killed for their opposition to the government; and

WHEREAS, Rafael Estrada and his foundation specifically aid those persecuted for their religious beliefs, for their political positions, and for being members of the media exposing corruption and violence against Nicaraguan citizens; and

WHEREAS, Rafael Estrada has testified before U.S. Congress and the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission to bring light to the human rights abuses, where he was introduced by key committee member Rep. Darin LaHood of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Rafael Estrada has traveled frequently to Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, and Spain to personally help the oppressed and persecuted, often at great personal risk to himself and his team; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we express our profound gratitude to Rafael A. Estrada for his outstanding and continuing humanitarian, philanthropic, and community service in Illinois and around the world; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Rafael Estrada as an expression of our deepest appreciation and respect.