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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Raymond "Ray" Oshana; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Ray Oshana was born in Baghdad on May 17, 1951; he
5came to the United States as a young man and started the
6Assyrian Athletic Club in 1970; since its inception, the Club
7has supported thousands of Assyrian youth and will celebrate
8its 50th anniversary next year; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Ray Oshana helped found the East Bird Band, which
10composed an iconic Assyrian Nationalist song, despite the fact
11that the band members did not know how to play musical
12instruments when they began; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Ray Oshana was an active member of many civic
14organizations, including the Assyrian American Association of
15Chicago; at the time of his passing, he was serving as the
16Midwest Regional Director for the Assyrian American National
17Federation; his name was well known among the members of the
18Assyrian community; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Ray Oshana was a pioneer in bringing Assyrians
20into mainstream American politics; he supported dozens of
21candidates and organized grassroots efforts to support the

 

 

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1interests of his community; he exemplified how immigration and
2the diversity it brings make the nation and local communities
3stronger; he will be remembered as a kind man with a vibrant
4personality who worked tirelessly to help Assyrians in Illinois
5and those facing deadly challenges in the Middle East; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Ray Oshana is survived by his wife, Nadia, and his
7children, Pierre, Ninos, and Mary; therefore, be it
 
8    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
9ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
10Raymond "Ray" Oshana and extend our sincere condolences to his
11family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
12further
 
13    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
14presented to the family of Ray Oshana as an expression of our
15deepest sympathy.