HR0209 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0209 LRB103 31821 LAW 60442 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate the Madison Senior High School band, the Trojans, on its recent accomplishments; and

WHEREAS, The Madison Senior High School band began with seven students who practiced over Zoom due to COVID-19 restrictions in the fall of 2020; today, the band boasts 45 dedicated members who play in person; and

WHEREAS, Last year, the Madison Senior High School band successfully performed at two St. Louis-based parades; the band achieved first place at its first parade, the Annie Malone Parade, and placed second at the 2022 Thanks-for-Giving Parade; and

WHEREAS, The Madison Senior High School marching band played at the Chamber of Commerce Breakfast at the World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison on March 16, 2023; and

WHEREAS, The Madison Senior High School band performed at the school's Jazz Appreciation Month Concert on April 13, 2023, which featured current and past members of the St. Louis Musicians Union Local 2-197 and gave students the opportunity to perform side-by-side with professional musicians; and

WHEREAS, The Madison Senior High School band played in the exhibition category at the Louis Armstrong HBCU Jazz Festival at Tennessee State University in Nashville on April 15, 2023, where students were able to experience the city's rich music history and visit the National Museum of African American Music on April 14; and

WHEREAS, The Madison Senior High School band has been invited to perform for the second Enjoy Illinois 300 NASCAR Cup Series event at the World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison; the marching band will perform on June 3, 2023, and the drum line will perform on June 4; and

WHEREAS, Through the Illinois Ambassadors of Music Association, the Madison Senior High School band will perform throughout eight European countries with over 300 other band students from Illinois from June 15 to June 30, 2023; the band will include nine Madison Senior High School students, with eight being seniors; and

WHEREAS, Upon returning from Europe, the Madison Senior High School band will play at the annual festival Fair St. Louis on July 4, 2023; and

WHEREAS, The Madison Senior High School band is led by Band Director Bernard Long Jr.; he was voted Teacher of the Year by Madison Community Unit School District (CUSD) 12 and also earned the 2023 Illinois State Board of Education Award of Meritorious Service in the teaching category; and

WHEREAS, The Madison Senior High School band is further supported by Madison Senior High School Principal Juan Gardner and Madison CUSD 12 Superintendent Andrew Reinking, Ed.D.; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Madison Senior High School band, the Trojans, on its recent accomplishments, and we wish its band members continued success; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Band Director Bernard Long Jr. as an expression of our esteem and respect.