HR0738 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0738 LRB099 14086 GRL 38118 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The national and Illinois chapters of the League of Women Voters were formed 95 years ago after women received the right to vote; and

WHEREAS, The League of Women Voters is a grass roots organization dedicated to registering voters, informing the voting public, and fostering the civic and political life of the communities it serves; and

WHEREAS, The League of Women Voters has a history of advocating for positive change, basing its positions on a foundation of research and fact; and

WHEREAS, Modeled after the example of the national and State chapters, the League of Women Voters of McLean County was formed in 1933 by Florence Fifer Bohrer; the organization has since led studies on such important civic matters as mental health, water resources, affordable housing, property tax caps, a graduated income tax, changes to procedure for establishing legislative districts, and the ward system in Bloomington; and

WHEREAS, The McLean County League will launch new studies on affordable housing, effective and efficient government, and recreational opportunities for youth in 2015 and 2016; and

WHEREAS, The McLean County League continues to engage in the civic education of young voters and the mentoring of students through its classroom visits and Juliana Sullivan Memorial Scholarship; and

WHEREAS, The McLean County League continues to serve as poll watchers, observers of local government entities, and voter registrars; and

WHEREAS, The McLean County League each year sponsors several community programs on topics of vital concern to the community, such as school funding and the justice system; the League also sponsors candidate forums as a way of educating the voting public on the positions of candidates for local, State, and national office; and

WHEREAS, The McLean County League has cooperated with partner organizations, such as the Chamber of Commerce, to encourage citizens to run for office; and

WHEREAS, The McLean County League is the third largest in the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, The McLean County League was recently recognized with an award from the American Civil Liberties Union; the League also recently received a Community Impact Award for its study on mental health; and

WHEREAS, The McLean County League experienced a 50% growth in its membership over the past year; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we commend the national and Illinois chapters of the League of Women Voters on its 95 years of service to the voters of the nation and State and congratulate the McLean County League of Women Voters for its past achievements and ongoing work to educate and advocate; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the McLean County League of Women Voters as a symbol of our respect and esteem.