HJ0135 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0135 LRB095 21537 GRL 51376 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, President Ronald Wilson Reagan, a man of humble background, worked throughout his life serving freedom and advancing the public good, having been employed as an entertainer, union leader, corporate spokesman, Governor of California, and President of the United States; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Reagan was born on February 6, 1911 in Tampico; he lived in many locations throughout Illinois, including his boyhood home in Dixon; he attended Eureka College in Eureka, graduating in 1932, and is a true son of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Reagan served with honor and distinction for two terms as the 40th President of the United States of America, the second of which he earned the confidence of three-fifths of the electorate and was victorious in 49 of the 50 states in the general election, a record that is unsurpassed in the history of American presidential elections; and

WHEREAS, During Mr. Reagan's presidency, he worked in a bipartisan manner to enact his bold agenda of restoring accountability and common sense to government, which led to an unprecedented economic expansion and opportunity for millions of Americans; and

WHEREAS, President Reagan's commitment to our armed forces contributed to the restoration of pride in America, her values and those cherished by the free world, and prepared America's Armed Forces to meet 21st century challenges; and

WHEREAS, President Reagan's vision of "peace through strength" helped lead to the end of the Cold War and the ultimate demise of the Soviet Union, guaranteeing basic human rights for millions of people; and

WHEREAS, The City of Dixon, Ronald Reagan's boyhood home, has established a 15-person Centennial Commission in order to plan the City's celebration of the 100th birthday of this dynamic and visionary leader in the year 2011; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that there is created the Illinois Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission consisting of 9 members appointed as follows: 2 members of the House appointed by the Speaker of the House, 2 members of the House appointed by the Minority Leader of the House, 2 members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, 2 members of the Senate appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate, and (ex-officio) the Mayor of the City of Dixon, all of whom shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for their reasonable and necessary expenses from funds appropriated for that purpose; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Commission shall select a chairperson from among its members; the Commission shall meet as frequently as necessary, at the call of the chairperson; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Commission shall do the following:

(1) elevate the centennial of Ronald Reagan's birth to a high profile bipartisan event;

(2) recognize Ronald Reagan as the only United States President born and raised in the State of Illinois;

(3) stimulate and encourage the creation and growth of programs about Ronald Reagan;

(4) highlight and publicize the institutions in the State that are connected to Ronald Reagan and their impact on his life;

(5) work with and coordinate statewide organizations and groups commemorating Ronald Reagan's 100th birthday; and

(6) encourage communities and citizens to support and get involved in the commemoration; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Commission shall work with other state Reagan Memorial Commissions and the national Commission in developing a nationwide plan for the celebration of President Reagan's 100th birthday in 2011, including work with Illinois school districts on appropriate ceremonies to mark the successful conclusion of the Cold War and President Reagan's service to the United States; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Commission shall receive staff support from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Commission report to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before December 31, 2008.