HR0316 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0316 LRB101 12183 ALS 59809 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Chicago is one of the largest networks of healthcare, education, and human services in the country, bringing assistance to over 500,000 Chicago-area residents of all faiths and to millions of Jews around the world; and

WHEREAS, As the President for over four decades, Dr. Steven B. Nasatir has provided landmark leadership both within the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Chicago and internationally and has raised more than $8 billion to provide help, hope, and healing to individuals, families, and communities in need; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Nasatir has inspired generous donations from the Jewish community in the wake of natural disasters, war, and famine, including visiting Haiti after the devastating earthquake of 2010; and

WHEREAS, As a passionate supporter of Israel since its early days of statehood, Dr. Nasatir has sought to help in times of peace and war, has met with nearly every Israeli Prime Minister, and has befriended world figures, including Natan Sharansky and Elie Wiesel; and

WHEREAS, In the face of threats to Jews around the globe, Dr. Nasatir has shaped the response of the United States and the American Jewish community through advocacy and through committing community resources, most notably the exodus of more than a million Jews from the former Soviet Union and the rescue of Jews from Ethiopia and Yemen; and

WHEREAS, In the face of challenges to Israel's very right to exist and in response to the surge in anti-Semitism domestically and abroad, Dr. Nasatir became an early and articulate champion of speaking out in the United States Congress, the Illinois General Assembly, Chicago City Hall, and on campuses throughout the Midwest against the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions movement; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we commend Dr. Steven B. Nasatir for his more than four decades of leadership and service within the Chicago Jewish community, where he has always acted with great care and integrity, following the principle of Kol Yisrael arevim zeh l'zeh - we take care of each other; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Nasatir as an expression of our esteem and respect.