HJ0071 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

 


 
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1
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Research has shown that the continued use of
3Native American names, logos, and mascots in schools has a
4negative effect not only on Native American students but also
5on all students by undermining the educational experiences of
6members of all communities, especially those who have had
7little to no contact with indigenous peoples; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Research also shows that the use of Native
9American names, logos, and mascots used in schools establishes
10an unwelcome and often hostile learning environment for Native
11American students and affirms negative images and stereotypes
12that are promoted in mainstream society; and
 
13    WHEREAS, The use of Native American names, logos, and
14mascots can be defined as using any person, animal, or object
15to represent a school that names, refers to, represents, or is
16associated with Native Americans, including Native American
17cultures and specific Native American tribes, but not
18including names associated with the name of a local county,
19municipality, or school district; and
 
20    WHEREAS, The American Psychological Association recommends
21the retirement of Native American mascots, a recommendation
22first made in 2005; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, A particular team name, Redskins, used by schools
2in Illinois is defined in dictionaries as offensive, a racial
3slur used as an insulting and contemptuous term for a Native
4American; and
 
5    WHEREAS, The State of Illinois wants all children to have
6a safe, healthy, and equitable learning experience in our
7public education system, including Native American children;
8therefore, be it
 
9    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
10HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE
11SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we urge the State Board of
12Education to conduct a study on the number of schools, school
13districts, and other public school associations across the
14State that currently utilize Native American names, logos, and
15mascots; and be it further
 
16    RESOLVED, That we urge the State Board of Education,
17through conversations with local schools and school districts,
18to collect findings on what the cost would be for these
19individual schools and districts to remove and change Native
20American names, mascots, and logos; and be it further
 
21    RESOLVED, That we urge the State Board of Education to

 

 

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1include its findings in a written report to the General
2Assembly no later than December 31, 2024; and be it further
 
3    RESOLVED, That we urge schools, school districts, and
4other public school associations to consider and plan for
5changing these harmful Native American names, mascots, and
6logos; and be it further
 
7    RESOLVED, That we urge the State Board of Education to use
8all tools available to work towards the immediate end of the
9practice of using racial slurs as team names in Illinois
10schools.