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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, From our nation's earliest days, Jewish Americans
3have been a critical part of our story; in the face of
4unspeakable discrimination and adversity, they have fought
5tirelessly to realize their piece of the American dream and the
6promise of our founding, holding tight to the belief that
7better days lay ahead; their relentless spirit and remarkable
8achievements have enriched our country, stirred our
9conscience, and challenged us to extend the miracles of freedom
10and security; during the month of May, we honor the vast
11contributions Jewish Americans have made to our world, and we
12recommit to standing up for the traditions we believe in and
13the values we share; and
 
14    WHEREAS, As we celebrate the rich heritage of the Jewish
15American community, it is impossible to separate their
16accomplishments from the struggles of Jewish people around the
17world; American Jews have worked to strengthen the promise of
18religious freedom because their ancestors were tested from the
19moment they came together and professed their faith; today,
20they continue to teach us empathy and compassion, inspired by
21the lessons of their parents and grandparents who knew how it
22felt to be a stranger, and to stand up for a more perfect union
23for all, relentlessly pursuing tikkun olam because they have
24always understood that we must recognize ourselves in the

 

 

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1struggles of our fellow man; and
 
2    WHEREAS, This year, Jewish American Heritage Month begins
3as the world commemorates the 72nd anniversary of the
4liberation of Dachau by American soldiers, and we are once
5again reminded that the vibrant culture of the Jewish people
6has not always been embraced; as tragic events show us all too
7often, Jewish communities continue to confront hostility and
8bigotry, including in America; our nation shares an obligation
9to condemn and combat anti-Semitism and hatred wherever it
10exists, and we remain committed to standing against the ugly
11tide of anti-Semitism in all its forms, including in the denial
12or trivialization of the Holocaust; and
 
13    WHEREAS, In celebrating the contributions of the Jewish
14people to the progress of our country, we also reaffirm
15America's unwavering commitment to the security of the State of
16Israel and the close bonds between our two nations and our
17peoples; and
 
18    WHEREAS, For centuries, Jews have reached for the blessings
19of freedom and opportunity in the United States; today, as
20pillars of their families and leaders in their communities,
21Jewish Americans represent a link in an unbroken chain of
22perseverance; during Jewish American Heritage Month, we
23celebrate the hard-fought progress won through struggle and

 

 

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1sacrifice, and we rededicate ourselves to building a world
2where diversity is cherished and faith is protected; therefore,
3be it
 
4    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
5HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
6declare May of 2017 as "Jewish American Heritage Month" in the
7State of Illinois.