HJ0042 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The City of Springfield and the entire State of Illinois have countless reasons to be proud of 2015 NBA Finals MVP Andre Iguodala; and

WHEREAS, Andre Iguodala was born in Springfield on January 28, 1984; he graduated from Lanphier High School in 2002, where he excelled both academically and athletically, winning All-Conference academic honors, winning the State Journal-Register Student-Athlete of the Week several times, and placing on the National Honor Roll; as a senior, he led his team to a second-place finish at the Illinois High School Association Class AA State Tournament; that season, he averaged 23.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game; he was named the Chicago Sun-Times Player of the Year and a Second Team Parade All-American and Nike All-American; his Number 41 jersey was retired by Lanphier High School in 2011; and

WHEREAS, Andre Iguodala attended Arizona University and was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 9th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft; during his 11 years of playing in the NBA, he has spent time with the Philadelphia 76ers, the Denver Nuggets, and the Golden State Warriors; and

WHEREAS, Andre Iguodala is one of the most dependable players in the NBA, having started in 758 consecutive games prior to the 2014-2015 season; and

WHEREAS, During the 2015 NBA Finals, Andre Iguodala averaged 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1.3 steals per game; in the clinching game, he collected 25 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds; and

WHEREAS, Andre Iguodala was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player, becoming the first NBA Champion and NBA Finals MVP from Springfield; and

WHEREAS, Andre Iguodala also won an Olympic Gold Medal with the 2012 USA Men's Basketball Team; and

WHEREAS, Andre Iguodala has numerous accomplishments giving back to the Springfield community as well as playing for the NBA; and

WHEREAS, Andre Iguodala and his family started the Andre Iguodala Youth Foundation to inspire and empower youth through combining education and athletic programs to motivate children; the organization sponsors numerous events each year to improve the lives of families in the Springfield area, such as a basketball camp and a Thanksgiving dinner giveaway to hundreds of Springfield families in need; and

WHEREAS, In 2006, Andre Iguodala and his parents set up a disaster relief fund to assist Springfield residents impacted by a tornado; the fund raised over $35,000 for local relief efforts; and

WHEREAS, The Iguodala family continues to give back to central Illinois, including his brother, Frank, who played collegiate basketball at Lake Land College in Mattoon and the University of Dayton in Ohio; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate the portion of Illinois Route 97 in Springfield from 9th Street to Veterans Parkway as "Honorary Andre Iguodala Drive"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Transportation is requested to erect at suitable locations, consistent with State and federal regulations, appropriate plaques or signs giving notice of the name "Honorary Andre Iguodala Drive"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Andre Iguodala and the Andre Iguodala Youth Foundation to celebrate his dedication and service to Springfield and the State of Illinois.