HR0468

LRB096 13063 AJO 27628 r






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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, During these turbulent and difficult economic 
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times, it is more important than ever that the concept of 
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social justice, the view that every member of our society is 
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deserving of equal economic, political, and social rights and 
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opportunities, be given the highest priority by elected State 
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officials; and




 
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    WHEREAS, Assuring social justice is a key element of the 
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Illinois Constitution as shown by the Preamble which states, in 
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part, that "We, the People of the State of Illinois ... in 
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order to provide for the health, safety and welfare of the 
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people; maintain a representative and orderly government; 
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eliminate poverty and inequality; assure legal, social and 
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economic justice; provide opportunity for the fullest 
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development of the individual; ... - do ordain and establish 
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this Constitution for the State of Illinois"; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Our American ideals recognize the value and 
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importance of the equality of opportunity; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Recognizing that when justice is achieved in every 
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aspect of society, rather than merely in the administration of 
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law, individuals and groups will be afforded fair treatment and 
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an impartial share of the benefits of society; and

 
 


 






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    WHEREAS, It is proper for us to  consider how we, as a 
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State, treat the most vulnerable among us and how our decisions 
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will affect those most in need of equal opportunities; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Differences of gender, race, ethnicity, age, 
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disability, health, religion, economic condition, or class 
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should not stand in the way of equal opportunities in 
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education, health care, or employment; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The inequality of educational opportunities in 
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Illinois is well known and thoroughly described in studies, 
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test results, and statistics assembled by the State Board of 
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Education; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The toll of violence, the troublesome number of 
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school dropouts, and the loss of life, hope, and opportunity 
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extracted from the victims of violence and the lives of our 
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school drop-outs tear at  our communities; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Disparities in the availability and quality of 
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healthcare throughout Illinois highlight the lack of equal 
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opportunities for those in need of health care; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Rising unemployment in all sectors of our economy 
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and the human price paid by communities that experience high 
 


 






HR0468
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unemployment rates make it more important than ever that there 
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truly be equal opportunities in all phases of employment; 
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therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
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the House, as a body, will endeavor to give a high priority to 
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social justice and allow that important principle to direct our 
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choices in matters both large and small and guide our decisions 
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in matters temporary or permanent; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be 
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delivered to each member of the House so that it may serve as a 
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tangible reminder of the commitment each member has to this 
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noble priority.