093_HR0024

                                     LRB093 05169 HSS 05514 r

 1                          HOUSE RESOLUTION

 2        WHEREAS, On January 18, 2003 the State of Illinois  gives
 3    recognition  to the Ken Bridges Institute on Black Economics,
 4    which has been developed to continue  teaching  the  concepts
 5    and  life  lessons  which  are  critical to the uplifting and
 6    internal reparation of and for people of African descent; and

 7        WHEREAS, Ken Bridges began his teaching in the 1980s, and
 8    with partner and Co-founder Al  Wellington,  continued  those
 9    important   lessons  through  MATAH,  which  was  created  to
10    describe a segment of people of African descent who know that
11    giving and buying Black is the key to obtaining true freedom;
12    they had a clear understanding that in order  for  people  of
13    African  descent  to  move forward as a group, not just a few
14    but as a race, psychological, social and economic freedom  is
15    the key; and

16        WHEREAS,  Mr. Bridges teachings on the practice of a race
17    first concept is critical to the up-liftment and  advancement
18    of Black people; and

19        WHEREAS,  Mr.  Bridges  life was cut short on October 11,
20    2002; his wife, Jocelyn Bridges, and his six children can  be
21    proud  to  know  that  the A. Phillip Randolph Pullman Porter
22    Museum has made the decision to  institutionalize  the  ideas
23    and  teachings of Ken Bridges by establishing the Ken Bridges
24    Lecture Hall and the first Ken  Bridges  Institute  on  Black
25    Economics;  through  the  Institute, the ideas of Ken Bridges
26    and MATAH will impact people  in  a  life  changing  way  for
27    generations to come; and

28        WHEREAS,  If  not  for  the  A.  Phillip Randolph Pullman
29    Porter Museum establishing this tradition, beginning with the
30    Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and  the  Black  Railroad
31    Employees, the contribution of these individuals would not be
32    honored in the manner they deserve; therefore, be it
 
                            -2-      LRB093 05169 HSS 05514 r
 1        RESOLVED,   BY   THE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES  OF  THE
 2    NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS,  that
 3    we commend the A. Phillip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum, and
 4    its  founder Lyn Hughes for their leadership role in honoring
 5    those people of African descent who have  made  contributions
 6    but  in  many instances have remained unrecognized; and be it
 7    further

 8        RESOLVED, That a suitable  copy  of  this  resolution  be
 9    presented  to  the family of Ken Bridges with our respect and
10    esteem.