HR0838 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0838 LRB103 40997 MST 74104 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize the Bud Billiken Parade on 95 years of parading in excellence in celebration of Chicago's dynamic and talented African American children; and

WHEREAS, In 1929, pioneering African American journalist and businessman Robert S. Abbott, founder of the Chicago Defender newspaper, founded the Bud Billiken Parade on Chicago's South Side, named after the character Bud the Billiken, who was the mascot of the Bud Billiken Club, a social club for young Black people he founded in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Robert Abbott founded the Bud Billiken Parade to celebrate and showcase African-American children in Chicago, especially through dance, music, and performance; and

WHEREAS, The tradition of the Bud Billiken Parade has remained to this day a celebration of Black youth in Chicago, with the parade traditionally viewed in Chicago's African-American communities as the symbolic start of the school year and the end of summer; and

WHEREAS, The parade has historically attracted leaders and celebrities from across the country to view or participate in the parade, including President Harry Truman, future president and then-Senator Barack Obama, Duke Ellington, Oprah Winfrey, Muhammad Ali, Frank Thomas, Michael Jordan, Louis Armstrong, and Spike Lee, among others; and

WHEREAS, The management and operation of the Bud Billiken Parade has remained within the Abbott family, with the fourth generation of leadership from his grandniece, Myiti Sengstacke-Rice, who has continued to ensure the parade and associated festivities celebrate Black youth in Chicago and promote education and empowerment in the tradition of Robert Abbott through the awarding of scholarships in partnership with Chicago Defender Charities; and

WHEREAS, The Bud Billiken Parade has historically been the largest Black-oriented parade and back to school parade in the world and the second-largest parade in the United States, after the Rose Bowl Parade, being viewed and attended by over one million people and featuring a live television broadcast; and

WHEREAS, In August 2024, the Bud Billiken Parade will celebrate its 95th year, coming together to celebrate the rich history of Chicago's African American citizens and the creativity and expression of Black children; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the Bud Billiken Parade on 95 years of parading in excellence in celebration of Chicago's dynamic and talented African American children; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Myiti Sengstacke-Rice of the Bud Billiken Parade as an expression of our respect and esteem.