HR0467 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0467 LRB095 12321 CMK 37012 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois has a rich history of political debate; and

WHEREAS, The Lincoln-Douglas debates set high standards for political debate; and

WHEREAS, The Library and Museum present a unique forum for events and lectures about Abraham Lincoln and political history in general; and

WHEREAS, The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, California hosted a debate on May 3, 2007 that featured the Republican candidates for President of the United States; and

WHEREAS, The debate at the Reagan Library, which aired on MSNBC and MSNBC.com, promoted the venue to the almost 1,800,000 viewers who watched the debate; and

WHEREAS, The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, the City of Springfield and central Illinois would benefit from similar media exposure generated by hosting a debate between political candidates; and

WHEREAS, Current policies adopted by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency prohibit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum from hosting political events; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency to amend its policies regarding political events to allow debates between candidates for political office; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be delivered to the Chair of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.