HR0310 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0310 LRB101 11975 MST 59160 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate the American Legion on the 100th anniversary of its founding; and

WHEREAS, The American Legion was founded in March 1919 in Paris, France by U.S. World War I military personnel stationed there who were dedicated to four pillars of service and advocacy: veterans, military personnel, youth, and patriotic values; and

WHEREAS, Today, the American Legion consists of 55 "departments" in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, France, Mexico, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico; there are approximately 13,000 local posts worldwide; and

WHEREAS, The American Legion currently has a membership of approximately two million; combined with the American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of the American Legion, the number of members exceeds three million; and

WHEREAS, Originally, American Legion membership was open to military personnel and veterans who served their nation on active duty during wartime; since August 2, 1990, membership has been open to all who have served on active duty; and

WHEREAS, The American Legion has been instrumental in the creation of a number of major institutions of American society, including the formation of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the creation of U.S. Flag Code, the passage of the GI Bill, and more; and

WHEREAS, The American Legion annually donates over 3.7 million hours of volunteer service; it provides assistance on more than 181,000 VA benefits claims and cases and donates over 80,000 pints of blood to collection centers nationwide, which makes it the nation's single largest blood donor; it sponsors over 2,500 Scouting units, serving over 64,000 young people, and awards over $4 million in college scholarships; and

WHEREAS, The American Legion will mark its 100th anniversary with a 15-month celebration that began with its national convention in August 2018 and culminates on Veterans Day 2019; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the American Legion on the 100th anniversary of its founding and wish it many more successful years; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the American Legion as a symbol of our respect and esteem.