HR0630 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0630 LRB102 24726 LAW 33966 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Black History Month, designated each February, is an important time to celebrate the remarkable contributions of Black American women while addressing the obstacles that Black women still face, both across the United States and in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Observing Black History Month is a historic tradition that began in 1926 to honor and celebrate the aspirations and accomplishments of Black individuals; and

WHEREAS, Even with years of the positive advancements that are documented during Black History Month, some Black communities still suffer from unacceptable conditions, such as higher rates of unemployment, poverty, mortgage foreclosures, lack of access to public health services, and crime; and

WHEREAS, Black women have experienced the compounding impacts of racism and sexism but have nonetheless risen to contribute to the improvement of their communities, including in the fields of education, health care, government, and many others; and

WHEREAS, Black women face inequities in healthcare, including facing worse outcomes during pregnancy and postpartum care; they die from pregnancy-related conditions three times more often than white women according to the Illinois Department of Public Health; and

WHEREAS, Black women are less likely to receive thorough screenings for breast cancer, such as 3D mammograms; the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign found that living in a predominantly African American neighborhood increased Black and white women's odds of dying from breast cancer; and

WHEREAS, According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Black women earn 63 cents for every dollar earned by a white, non-Hispanic man; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize Black History Month as an important time to celebrate the remarkable contributions of all Black women in United States; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we acknowledge the continuing struggles within African American communities, especially those of Black women, and encourage Governor Pritzker to address the ongoing issues affecting those communities; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be delivered to Governor JB Pritzker.