HR1196 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1196 LRB099 20477 GRL 44992 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate the members of the Kiwanis Club of Aurora on the occasion of the organization's 100th anniversary on September 20, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Kiwanis International is a volunteer-led organization based in 7 regions: Africa, Asia-Pacific, Canada and Caribbean, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and the United States and Pacific Canada; there are nearly 600,000 members in Kiwanis and the organization annually raises more than $100 million, sponsors nearly 150,000 service projects, and reports over 18 million volunteer hours to strengthen communities and serve children; Kiwanis also sponsors about 7,000 youth service clubs with nearly 320,000 youth members; and

WHEREAS, The Kiwanis Club of Aurora is involved in many civic initiatives in the local community, including $40,000 in annual funding to school and other youth programs; $100,000 in funding to the Aurora Public Library to build the Kiwanis Children's Center; 4 scholarships through the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley which give $1,250 per year for 2 years to students; 3 area fundraisers, consisting of a pancake fundraiser, place mat advertisements for various events, and selling peanuts for charity; and 2 annual grants to a variety of organizations that help children; and

WHEREAS, The Kiwanis Club of Aurora is also a co-sponsor of the "Coats for Kids" - Aurora program in partnership with the City of Aurora, Communities In Schools, and various Aurora schools to distribute free coats to needy children; in 2015, approximately 1,800 new coats were ordered at wholesale prices and over 2,000 surplus coats were distributed to Aurora schools; and

WHEREAS, Women constitute about 26% of total members in Kiwanis International; at the 2013 International Convention, Sue Petrisin was elected to serve as the organization's first female international vice president; and

WHEREAS, The members of the Kiwanis Club of Aurora serve as models of hard work, integrity, and dedication for the people of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the members of the Kiwanis Club of Aurora on the occasion of the organization's 100th anniversary 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 the Kiwanis Club of Aurora as a symbol of our esteem and respect.