HR0962 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0962 LRB102 29134 LAW 41069 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate the Simeon Career Academy boys basketball team, the Wolverines, on the occasion of its historic visit to Senegal; and

WHEREAS, The Wolverines spent six days in the West African country of Senegal, making history in the process by becoming the first team and first group of people to bring a group of young Black men to that part of Africa; and

WHEREAS, The Wolverines' trip came to fruition thanks to Tim Flowers, a Simeon alumnus who will succeed longtime coach Robert Smith after next season, the sponsorship of Simeon alumnus and NBA player Derrick Rose, and the support of fellow assistant coaches Joshua Davis and Jaleni Neely; and

WHEREAS, The Wolverines' Senegal-bound group included the four aforementioned men, a group of chaperones, and 14 members of the team; the group also included former Chicago Bulls teammates and NBA All-Stars Joakim Noah and Luol Deng; and

WHEREAS, The Wolverines immersed themselves in Senegalese culture by trying local cuisine, visiting museums and landmarks, and sightseeing; the group also visited NBA Academy Africa, an elite training center in Senegal for the top male and female basketball prospects from throughout the continent; and

WHEREAS, The Wolverines additionally visited Gorée Island, a tiny island off the coast of Senegal known for its role in the Atlantic slave trade, further providing the team with an eye-opening experience; and

WHEREAS, By visiting Senegal, the Wolverines were given the opportunity to bond from their shared cultural experience and return stronger as a team based on friendship and brotherhood; and

WHEREAS, Coach Flowers has expressed hopes to make Senegal an annual trip; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Simeon Career Academy boys basketball team, the Wolverines, on its historic visit to Senegal, and we wish the team continued success; and be it further

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