HJ0064

LRB094 13480 CSA 48341 r






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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the General Assembly and the 
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Illinois Legislative Black Caucus wish to recognize and honor 
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the Black Harvest Chicago Film Community for their work in the 
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City of Chicago and throughout the State of Illinois; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Chicago has become one of the liveliest centers 
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for independent film production by African-American artists in 
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the nation; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Independent filmmakers bring a freshness to the 
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movie scene that is not always present or possible in the 
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studio system; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Black filmmakers in Chicago and throughout 
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Illinois are to be applauded for their creativity in achieving 
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their production and marketing goals in the face of funding 
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obstacles; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Local black filmmakers have a tradition of 
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encouraging young people to tell their own stories and sharpen 
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their skills and crafts to be well-equipped when opportunities 
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come along; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Since 1995, the Gene Siskel Film Center, part of 
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the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, has provided an 
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important venue for showcasing the talent of African-American 
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filmmakers through its annual Black Harvest International 
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Festival of Film and Video; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Black Harvest premieres new feature-length and 
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short films, is the place to see local productions by 
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African-American independent filmmakers, and serves as a forum 
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for discussion, debate, and learning where producers, 
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directors, screenwriters, and actors can discuss the art and 
 


 






HJ0064
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LRB094 13480 CSA 48341 r




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craft of their work; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The 11th Annual Black Harvest festival is the 
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biggest one yet, extending from August 4 through August 31, 
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2005, and featuring 38 films and 8 local movies, including 
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CAGED by Eldridge Valentine, COMATOSE by Mike Merrill, THE 
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MISSING PEACE by Rachel Benjamin, TOOT'S AND BLOW'S by Deri 
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Tyton, RUNT produced by Joe English, and the Chicago-Botswana 
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co-production HOT CHILI by Moabi Mogorosi; Chicago-made short 
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films include COMFORT by J.L. Tops, LIMP by Abdul Malik, and 
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WALT BROTHER WALT by Bradford Stevens, and many other movies 
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with Chicago connections, including the definitive tribute to 
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the late jazz great Oscar Brown Jr. entitled OSCAR BROWN JR.: 
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MUSIC IS MY LIFE, POLITICS MY MISTRESS by Donnie I. Betts; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Target, NBC 5, American Airlines, WVON Radio, 
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Northern Trust, TimeOut Chicago, National Endowment for the 
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Arts, and the Illinois Arts Council have provided support for 
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Black Harvest; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE 
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SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, and represented by Representative 
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Ken Dunkin and Senator Ricky Hendon, that we honor and 
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celebrate the work of local African-American filmmakers as 
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important voices for power, alienation, urban realities, and 
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the beauty of black cultural practices; we celebrate your 
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talents and are inspired by your dedication to expressing the 
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depth of the black experience; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to the Black Harvest Chicago Film Community as a 
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token of our gratitude and respect.