SR0118 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0118 LRB101 11043 MST 56247 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Joychen Chemmachel, who passed away on February 9, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Joy Chemmachel was born on May 6, 1963; he emigrated from India to Chicago in 1986; he became the founding president of the Knanaya Catholic Youth League Chicago in 1986 and the founding president of the Illinois Malayalee Association in 1991; and

WHEREAS, In 1992, Joy Chemmachel started America's first Malayalam channel, Pranaam Bharat TV; he served as the Illinois Malayalee Association Inter-State Cultural Festival Chairman in 1999 and as vice president and global convention chairman of FOKANA in 2000; he was also president of the Knanaya Catholic Society Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Joy Chemmachel began acting in movies and tele-serials in 2002; he received numerous awards for his talent, including the Critics Award for Best Actor (2003), the Critics Award for Best Tele-Cinema (2004), the Anthra Film Critics Award (2004), the FOKANA Film Award (2005), the Anthra Critics Award for Best Actor (2005), the Tamil Nadu Government award for Best Movie (2005), and the Critics Award for Anchoring the Best Pravaasi Television Show (2006); and

WHEREAS, Joy Chemmachel was a very giving person and always helped people who needed him, day or night; in 2006, he received the AGAPE Award for Charity; and

WHEREAS, In 2006, Joy Chemmachel served as general secretary of FOKANA; in 2014, he served as the FOKANA Convention General Convener; and

WHEREAS, Joy Chemmachel formed JYES Farm in Neendoor, Kerala, India in 2008, which plays a vital role in sustaining the farming culture of India; he received the Kathir Award for Best Farmer in 2017; and

WHEREAS, Joy Chemmachel was a devoted member of St. Michael's Church in Neendoor, India, and was most recently a trustee; and

WHEREAS, Joy Chemmachel was an accomplished actor, artist, activist, businessman, and farmer; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Joychen Chemmachel and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Joy Chemmachel as an expression of our deepest sympathy.