HR0058 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0058 LRB103 30686 MST 57155 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The game of cricket is a sportsmanship game played around the world in the open air by tens of millions of people, especially young people; and

WHEREAS, Games similar to cricket were played by early English settlers in America; these games were driven into obscurity by the new American sport of baseball, but many words from cricket are used by baseball players and fans to this day, such as bat, fielder, and inning; and

WHEREAS, Cricket never died out in the countries that make up the United Kingdom; many of the countries that play top-level cricket to this day, including Australia, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, are nations that share a political heritage that includes the game of cricket; and

WHEREAS, In the nations that play cricket, the game is acclaimed as a way to demonstrate skill in both athleticism and mental poise; calmness and patience are as essential to the game of cricket as the ability to swing a straight bat; and

WHEREAS, The rules of cricket enable the game to be played and enjoyed by both men and women, and women's cricket is played all over the world; and

WHEREAS, The game of cricket is overwhelmingly associated with fair play and good sportsmanship; and

WHEREAS, Many Illinois residents, especially younger Illinois residents, were born or have family origins in the countries, nations, and cultures where cricket is played as a principal sport; they would like to play this sport in Illinois and get official recognition as they do so; and

WHEREAS, Cricket, typically played at the club level, is a growing sport in American colleges and universities; and

WHEREAS, The time has come when Illinois should add cricket to the list of sports that Illinois high school-age students can officially play and enjoy; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) to take steps towards officially recognizing the game of cricket in Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this recognition process should move towards the organization of Illinois inter-school cricket play for those secondary schools that wish to field a team; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the organization of Illinois cricket play should maximize the ability of Illinois-origin cricketers to continue their play at the college-university level; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we recognize and congratulate the pioneer Illinois cricket players who have begun to play this game on their own prior to the official games that will be played by their younger brothers and sisters; we urge the IHSA to recognize the pioneering heritage of Illinois cricket games played prior to official recognition and regularization of play; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be presented to Katy Hasson, President of the Illinois High School Association, and to Craig Anderson, Executive Director of the IHSA.