HR1186 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1186 LRB095 20749 GRL 49313 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate the members of the Hersey High School Band in Arlington Heights on the occasion of being the recipient of the Sudler Flag of Honor award from the John Philip Sousa Foundation; and

WHEREAS, The John Philip Sousa Foundation's Flag of Honor program is designed to identify and recognize high school Wind Band and Symphony Band programs of very special excellence at the international level; and

WHEREAS, The Sudler Flag of Honor award is the highest recognition of excellence in a concert performance that can be bestowed upon a high school band; to be nominated for the Sudler Flag of Honor, a high school band must maintain a fine performing organization over a number of years, including a concert program, a marching band, small ensembles, and solo participation by its members in contest-festival opportunities; in addition, the band's conductor must have been the conductor of the band for at least seven consecutive years, including the year of the award, and must have involved with professional band organizations and activities at the local, State, and national levels; in its 26 years of existence, only 51 bands in the United States, Canada, and Japan have received this prestigious award; and

WHEREAS, The Hersey High School Band was one of only two high school concert bands to receive the Sudler Flag of Honor award in 2007, a wonderful indication of the band's talent, organization, and great effort; and

WHEREAS, In honor of this fine achievement, the Hersey High School Band will be presented with a red, white, and blue four-by-six foot "Flag of Honor" bearing the symbol of the John Philip Sousa Foundation, a personalized plaque for the band, and a personalized diploma for each member of the band; these prizes will be given to the band by a member of the John Philip Sousa Foundation during a concert on May 14, 2008 in the Hersey High School Theater in Arlington Heights; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the members of the Hersey High School Band in Arlington Heights on the occasion of being the recipient of the Sudler Flag of Honor award and wish them continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Hersey High School Band conductor Scott Casagrande as a symbol of our esteem and respect.