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| 1 | AN ACT concerning government.
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| 2 | WHEREAS, It is appropriate and right to celebrate a | ||||||
| 3 | diversity of cultures and heritages, and such celebration | ||||||
| 4 | serves as a reminder that despite our differing backgrounds, | ||||||
| 5 | everyone in Illinois is bound by a common hope for a better and | ||||||
| 6 | more inclusive future for our children; and | ||||||
| 7 | WHEREAS, The Arab American community has a long and | ||||||
| 8 | integral history in the United States; and | ||||||
| 9 | WHEREAS, For over a century, Arab Americans have been | ||||||
| 10 | making valuable contributions to virtually every aspect of | ||||||
| 11 | American society, including medicine, law, business, | ||||||
| 12 | technology, government, and culture; and | ||||||
| 13 | WHEREAS, Tens of thousands of Arab Americans have served | ||||||
| 14 | during World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam | ||||||
| 15 | War, the Iraq War, and the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq after | ||||||
| 16 | September 11, 2001; and | ||||||
| 17 | WHEREAS, The history of Arab Americans in American life | ||||||
| 18 | often remains neglected and has been riddled with | ||||||
| 19 | misunderstanding and bigotry; and | ||||||
| 20 | WHEREAS, Men and women of Arab descent have shared their | ||||||
| 21 | rich culture, strong work ethic, and dedication to education, | ||||||
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| 1 | while embracing the American spirit of opportunity and helping | ||||||
| 2 | us build a better nation and State for all; and | ||||||
| 3 | WHEREAS, It is estimated that there are approximately | ||||||
| 4 | 450,000 people of Arab American descent in Illinois with more | ||||||
| 5 | than 100,000 Arab American voters registered; and | ||||||
| 6 | WHEREAS, We recognize and celebrate the contributions to | ||||||
| 7 | cultural diversity, economic growth, and the overall | ||||||
| 8 | development of our State and nation made by the Arab American | ||||||
| 9 | community; therefore | ||||||
| 10 | Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
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| 11 | represented in the General Assembly:
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| 12 | Section 5. The State Commemorative Dates Act is amended by | ||||||
| 13 | adding Section 6 as follows: | ||||||
| 14 | (5 ILCS 490/6 new) | ||||||
| 15 | Sec. 6. Arab American Heritage Month. The month of April of | ||||||
| 16 | each year is designated as Arab American Heritage Month to be | ||||||
| 17 | observed throughout the State as a month to recognize the | ||||||
| 18 | valuable contributions of Arab Americans to this State and to | ||||||
| 19 | the various aspects of American society.
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| 20 | Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon | ||||||
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| 1 | becoming law.
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