SR1726 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Illinois has welcomed, supported, and protected people of all races, ethnicities, religions, and, nationalities for over three centuries; and

WHEREAS, Illinois is proud to be a very diverse State, with 13.5% immigrants, 14.5% African Americans, and the third highest concentration of American Muslims in the country; it has welcomed people of all races, ethnicities, religions, and nationalities since its founding; and

WHEREAS, Illinois upholds the values set forth in the United States Constitution by protecting all its residents no matter their faith or ethnicity; and

WHEREAS, The national "Take on Hate" campaign on April 19, 2016 is committed to combatting violence by helping stop hate crimes and bigotry whenever and wherever it is seen; it stands for peace, acceptance, and inclusion to promote the core American values that no one should be targeted solely because of their faith or ethnicity; and

WHEREAS, Bigotry and hate towards African Americans, Latinos, Arabs, American Sikhs, American Muslims, and other communities of color are getting worse; and

WHEREAS, Positive attitudes towards African Americans, Latinos, Arabs, American Sikhs, American Muslims, and other communities of color, has declined; and

WHEREAS, There has been an increase of hate crimes and violence towards African Americans, Latinos, Arabs, American Sikhs, American Muslims, and other communities of color, creating fearful and unstable communities; and

WHEREAS, The national "Take on Hate" campaign calls upon all Americans to address the current climate of fear, hate, and prejudice towards African Americans, Latinos, Arabs, American Sikhs, American Muslims, and other communities of color by elevating the voice of peace, unity, and love; and

WHEREAS, Public servants have an even greater responsibility to speak out against discrimination, xenophobia, and hatred because when the unacceptable becomes the norm in our society, human rights for all are threatened; and

WHEREAS, April 19, 2016 is a day to "Take on Hate" to inspire a movement to restore our American values that all Americans deserve to live free of bigotry, hate, and violence, in order to build an even better United States of America; and

WHEREAS, The national "Take on Hate" campaign is a movement that promotes positive images of African Americans, Latinos, Arabs, American Sikhs, American Muslims, and other communities of color; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we endorse the mission of "Day to Take on Hate" on April 19, 2016 to protect all of Illinois' residents, families, and communities no matter their faith, nationality, or ethnicity, and that we are proud to stand with all Americans, regardless of their ethnicity or faith against those who preach hate and incite violence; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we declare April 19, 2016 as "Illinois Muslim Action Day" in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago as an expression of our esteem and respect.