HR0604 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0604 LRB099 12865 GRL 36697 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives have learned, with deep sadness, of the deaths on June 17, 2015 of the Rev. Senator Clementa C. Pinckney, Cynthia Hurd, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lance, DePayne Middleton Doctor, Tywanza Sanders, Daniel L. Simmons, Sr., Sharonda Singleton, and Myra Thompson, the 9 people who were murdered while engaged in a session of Christian Bible studies at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina; and

WHEREAS, These 9 community and church leaders are deeply mourned by their families and friends; as a result of this tragedy, their skills at work and life have become familiar to their South Carolina neighbors and the people of the United States; and

WHEREAS, As State legislators, we are especially aware of the hard work and statesmanship of the late Rev. Senator Clementa C. Pinckney, as he was a leader for his state on lawmaking efforts concerning issues, such as body cameras for police officers, which we know are exceptionally complex and demand courageous, careful handling; and

WHEREAS, Events connected with this tragedy have raised questions about the so-called "Battle Flag of the Confederacy" as a suitable element in public displays of honor; although this flag was raised for reasons familiar to everyone, many feel that this flag has become offensive and should no longer be a symbol on state property; and

WHEREAS, A slightly different version of the "Battle Flag" currently flies, by South Carolina statute, on the grounds of the South Carolina State House in Columbia, South Carolina, as an element of a monument honoring fallen South Carolina soldiers; and

WHEREAS, The members of this body affirm the right and duty of the people of South Carolina to pay tribute to the heritage of their state, including the heritage of the American Civil War; and

WHEREAS, At times like this we are reminded of the words of Abraham Lincoln, who said that it is the work of all of us "with malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds..."; and

WHEREAS, The members of this body suggest that the correct flag for the people of South Carolina to fly when honoring their heritage is the flag of the United States of America; South Carolina is one of the 13 original states and there is a stripe and a star on this flag for them, and 13 stripes and 50 stars to stand for one united people; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we call upon the South Carolina General Assembly to take statutory action to remove any examples of the "Battle Flag of the Confederacy" from the grounds of the South Carolina State House, including the Confederate Monument; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be delivered to South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, Henry McMaster, President of the South Carolina Senate, and Jay Lucas, Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives.