HR0774 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0774 LRB095 14020 GRL 39858 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Jeffrey Wright on the occasion of being the recipient of the Gold Hugo Career Achievement Award; and

WHEREAS, Jeffrey Wright was born on December 7, 1965 in Washington, D.C.; he received his early education at St. Albans School for Boys in Washington, D.C.; he attended Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in political science in 1987; after graduation, he moved on to New York University on an acting scholarship; he left NYU after 2 months to pursue his acting career full-time; and

WHEREAS, Jeffrey Wright first received public acclaim in his role in "Angels in America: Perestroika" in 1994, a performance which earned him a Tony award; he went on to star as artist Jean-Michel Basquiat in Julian Schnabel's 1996 film "Basquiat"; since his spectacular debut, he has performed in such movies as Shaft, Hamlet, Syriana, Casino Royale, and Lady in the Water; he also appeared in a remake of Angels in America for HBO in 2003, where he reprised his role as Belize; he earned an Emmy, a Golden Globe, and the Black Reel Award for his performance in Angels in America; and

WHEREAS, Jeffrey Wright is married to Carmen Ejogo; together, they have one son; and

WHEREAS, The Chicago International Film Festival's Black Perspectives Committee will present Jeffrey Wright with the Gold Hugo Career Achievement Award at a ceremony on October 13, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Jeffrey Wright's magnificent talent and dedication to his craft makes him supremely deserving of both the Gold Hugo Career Achievement Award and our greatest respect; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Jeffrey Wright on the occasion of being the recipient of the Gold Hugo Career Achievement Award and wish him continued success in his future endeavors; and be it further

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