HR0429 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0429 LRB103 34259 ECR 64085 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to commend the Reverend Jesse Lewis Jackson on founding the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and its legacy of making a difference; and

WHEREAS, In 1962, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference launched Operation Breadbasket in Atlanta, Georgia; in 1966, Reverend Jackson began leading Operation Breadbasket in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, In 1971, Reverend Jackson launched his own economic empowerment organization called Operation PUSH (People United to Serve Humanity); and

WHEREAS, In 1984, following his first presidential campaign, Reverend Jackson launched the National Rainbow Coalition, which sought equal rights for all Americans; a central thrust of the Coalition was the demand for social programs, voting rights, and affirmative action for minority groups; and

WHEREAS, In 1996, the National Rainbow Coalition and Operation PUSH merged to form the Rainbow PUSH Coalition with its international headquarters in Chicago; the mission of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition was to protect, defend, and gain civil rights by leveling the economic and educational playing fields and to promote peace and justice around the world; and

WHEREAS, Today, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition continues to protect and promote the civil rights of African Americans while also addressing social and economic issues affecting marginalized communities; and

WHEREAS, Under Reverend Jackson's leadership, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition has focused on a range of issues, including voting rights, economic justice, education, affordable housing, and health-care access; the Coalition advocates for policies that promote equality, fairness, and social justice related to civil rights and economic empowerment and engages in public policy advocacy, corporate accountability campaigns, and other issues that will bring about positive change; and

WHEREAS, The Rainbow Push Coalition continues to bring attention to the problems and issues facing marginalized communities through local and national media and through sharing and discussing information; and

WHEREAS, The Rainbow PUSH Coalition Convention is an annual event where participants gain an understanding of the Coalition's causes, develop resolutions, and design solutions; each year in July, national and worldwide leaders as well as those from Chicago attend the convention for three days of workshops and panels focusing on wealth building, health inequities, business, leadership, and more; and

WHEREAS, This highly anticipated convention, organized under Reverend Jackson's leadership, is considered the largest of its kind in the nation; the convention provides the only major platform for activists, community leaders, policy makers, and individuals from various backgrounds to come together and address issues and solutions that affect and will enhance the lives of African Americans; and

WHEREAS, This year, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition will host its annual convention with the theme "The Perilous Journey from Freedom to Equality"; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we commend Reverend Jesse Lewis Jackson on founding the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and for all of the work the Coalition has accomplished for the betterment of marginalized communities and our State and nation as a whole; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Reverend Jackson as a symbol of our esteem and respect.