SR0814 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0814 LRB096 22227 GRL 41041 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are pleased to honor Paul Rusesabagina for his incredible courage in saving the lives of more than 1,200 people during the 1994 Rwandan genocide; and

WHEREAS, In the spring of 1994, Hutu extremists took to the streets of Rwanda, systematically massacring their minority Tutsi and moderate Hutu neighbors; after 100 days of slaughter, over 800,000 people were killed by Hutu militias; and

WHEREAS, During this nightmarish time, the Hotel des Mille Collines in Kigali, Rwanda became a home to more than 1,200 Rwandan refugees, who hid in the luxury hotel to save their lives and those of their families; and

WHEREAS, At great risk to his own life, Paul Rusesabagina, manager of the Hotel des Mille Collines, used his wits, international contacts, and negotiating skills to keep the refugees safe until the cessation of the massacre; and

WHEREAS, Paul Rusesabagina is the founder and president of the Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation, an organization based in Chicago that helps to provide a voice to the victims of genocide and supports peace efforts in Rwanda and throughout the world; in furtherance of the organization's mission, he has spoken to large organizations of journalists, educators, students, policymakers, business leaders, and human rights activists throughout Europe and the United States about social justice, human rights activism, and the lessons learned from the Rwandan genocide; and

WHEREAS, Paul Rusesabagina is the real-life hero of the film Hotel Rwanda and served as a special consultant for the film; and

WHEREAS, Paul Rusesabagina has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades in recognition of his incredible bravery; in 2000, he received the Immortal Chaplains Prize for Humanity; in 2005, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States, from President George W. Bush; that same year, he was honored with the National Civil Rights Museum Freedom Award and the Humanitarian Award from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation; and

WHEREAS, Paul Rusesabagina is the guest of honor at the 48th Annual Governor's Prayer Breakfast at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield on May 12, 2010; and

WHEREAS, Paul Rusesabagina's great courage and compassion make him a model for the people of the State of Illinois and the world at large; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we designate May 12, 2010 as Paul Rusesabagina Day in the State of Illinois to honor Paul Rusesabagina for his incredible courage and his many accomplishments and wish him continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Paul Rusesabagina as a symbol of our esteem and respect.