HR0581 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0581 LRB101 15090 MST 64204 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize EyeCare America and its dedicated volunteers for 35 years of public service to the people of Illinois and throughout the United States; and

WHEREAS, Older individuals are particularly susceptible to loss of vision as a result of eye conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, cataract, glaucoma, and diabetes; and

WHEREAS, Early detection and treatment for eye diseases is often the difference between functional vision and blindness; and

WHEREAS, In 2020, EyeCare America, the public service program of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, celebrates 35 years of preserving sight; and

WHEREAS, EyeCare America has helped over two million people across the nation with sight saving care and resources through the efforts of more than 5,000 volunteer ophthalmologists; and

WHEREAS, Over 30,000 Illinois citizens have been helped by the services offered by the 190 EyeCare America volunteer ophthalmologists from throughout our State; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, in partnership with the American Academy of Ophthalmology, strongly encourages its members to volunteer for EyeCare America; and

WHEREAS, Illinois has a distinguished history of excellence in eye care as home to six academic institutions, the Loyola University Medical Center, the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, the Rush University Medical Center, the Stroger Hospital of Cook County, the University of Chicago, and the University of Illinois at Chicago/Illinois Eye & Ear Infirmary, which are training the next generation of caring eye physicians and surgeons, as well as providing exceptional state-of-the-art medical eye care to patients and developing cutting-edge research; and

WHEREAS, Illinois is the home to the Chicago Ophthalmological Society, established in 1893 and the oldest local ophthalmological society in the nation; and

WHEREAS, Individuals may contact EyeCare America to determine if they or their loved ones are eligible for referral to a volunteer ophthalmologist in Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize EyeCare America and its dedicated volunteers for 35 years of public service to the people of Illinois and throughout the United States; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to EyeCare America as a symbol of our respect and esteem.