HR0962LRB102 29134 LAW 41069 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives wish to congratulate the Simeon Career Academy
4boys basketball team, the Wolverines, on the occasion of its
5historic visit to Senegal; and
 
6    WHEREAS, The Wolverines spent six days in the West African
7country of Senegal, making history in the process by becoming
8the first team and first group of people to bring a group of
9young Black men to that part of Africa; and
 
10    WHEREAS, The Wolverines' trip came to fruition thanks to
11Tim Flowers, a Simeon alumnus who will succeed longtime coach
12Robert Smith after next season, the sponsorship of Simeon
13alumnus and NBA player Derrick Rose, and the support of fellow
14assistant coaches Joshua Davis and Jaleni Neely; and
 
15    WHEREAS, The Wolverines' Senegal-bound group included the
16four aforementioned men, a group of chaperones, and 14 members
17of the team; the group also included former Chicago Bulls
18teammates and NBA All-Stars Joakim Noah and Luol Deng; and
 
19    WHEREAS, The Wolverines immersed themselves in Senegalese
20culture by trying local cuisine, visiting museums and
21landmarks, and sightseeing; the group also visited NBA Academy

 

 

HR0962- 2 -LRB102 29134 LAW 41069 r

1Africa, an elite training center in Senegal for the top male
2and female basketball prospects from throughout the continent;
3and
 
4    WHEREAS, The Wolverines additionally visited Gorée Island,
5a tiny island off the coast of Senegal known for its role in
6the Atlantic slave trade, further providing the team with an
7eye-opening experience; and
 
8    WHEREAS, By visiting Senegal, the Wolverines were given
9the opportunity to bond from their shared cultural experience
10and return stronger as a team based on friendship and
11brotherhood; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Coach Flowers has expressed hopes to make Senegal
13an annual trip; therefore, be it
 
14    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
15HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
16we congratulate the Simeon Career Academy boys basketball
17team, the Wolverines, on its historic visit to Senegal, and we
18wish the team continued success; and be it further
 
19    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
20presented to the Wolverines as an expression of our esteem and
21respect.