HJ0047 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0047 LRB099 06561 KTG 26634 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Indigency has been a persistent social problem throughout history and has reached an intolerable level throughout our country; and

WHEREAS, People in urban, suburban, and rural areas of Illinois experience indigency, proving that it is not just a big city problem; and

WHEREAS, Each year sees an increase in the number of deaths among those who lack funds to provide the barest essentials of life; and

WHEREAS, Bitter cold winters and extremely hot summers have cost the lives of those individuals who simply could not afford heating or air coolants and died from exposure; and

WHEREAS, In remembering those who have died, we must reach out to help those in need; the extent to which our society can counter the effects of indigency is a good measure of its humaneness; and

WHEREAS, W. Earl Lewis served as Director of the Memorial Ministry of Indigent Persons until his death and in his capacity as Director, advocated for recognition of a day of remembrance for indigent persons; and

WHEREAS, On May 27, 2015, the people of Chicago will gather for the 30th Annual Interfaith Memorial Service for Indigent People at the Chicago Temple/First United Methodist Church; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we proclaim Wednesday May 27, 2015, as "We Remember, We Care for Indigent Persons Day in Illinois", and that we urge all citizens to observe, inform themselves of, and support efforts to care for the indigent; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to all of the celebrants of "We Remember, We Care for Indigent Persons Day in Illinois".