Full Text of SR0949 102nd General Assembly
SR0949 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY |
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| 1 | | SENATE RESOLUTION
| 2 | | WHEREAS, The day of April 1 is annually celebrated as the | 3 | | Assyrian New Year and is also known as Kha b'Nissan or Akitu; | 4 | | and | 5 | | WHEREAS, The Assyrian New Year is known to be the oldest | 6 | | celebration in history and is not only the first day of the new | 7 | | year but also marks the start of spring and serves as a symbol | 8 | | of revival; and
| 9 | | WHEREAS, This New Year marks year 6772 in the Assyrian | 10 | | calendar; in ancient Assyria, the Assyrian New Year festival | 11 | | was celebrated for 12 days, coinciding with the Spring | 12 | | Equinox; and | 13 | | WHEREAS, The Assyrian New Year is recognized and | 14 | | celebrated by millions of Assyrians around the world in the | 15 | | form of festivals, parades, and parties; men and women will | 16 | | gather in traditional clothes and dance in open areas such as | 17 | | parks and community centers, and speeches and poetry will be | 18 | | shared; and | 19 | | WHEREAS, The Assyrian community has a vibrant history and | 20 | | heritage rooted in ancient traditions; ancient tablets detail | 21 | | magnificent Akitu festivities as they were celebrated |
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| 1 | | thousands of years ago; some ancient traditions have survived, | 2 | | such as the practice of hanging flowers from Assyrian homes, | 3 | | known as Diqna d'Nissan or the 'beard of spring';
and | 4 | | WHEREAS, In their various countries of origin, including | 5 | | Iraq, Syria, Turkey, and Iran, governing authorities | 6 | | historically infringed on the cultural and linguistic rights | 7 | | of Assyrians and prohibited public celebrations of the | 8 | | Assyrian New Year; and | 9 | | WHEREAS, For Assyrians, both in Illinois and across the | 10 | | nation, celebrating the Assyrian New Year serves as a vital | 11 | | link to preserving their history and culture; and | 12 | | WHEREAS, According to the Assyrian Policy Institute, | 13 | | Illinois is home to more than 80,000 Assyrian Americans; and | 14 | | WHEREAS, The Assyrian New Year serves to remind the State | 15 | | of Illinois of the many substantial contributions the Assyrian | 16 | | community has made to Illinois and the social fabric of our | 17 | | state; and | 18 | | WHEREAS, It is imperative that members of the Assyrian | 19 | | community across the globe feel seen, valued, and encouraged | 20 | | to celebrate and preserve their cultural heritage; therefore, | 21 | | be it
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| 1 | | RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL | 2 | | ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF | 3 | | REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that we express our support | 4 | | for the Assyrian community and the preservation of a vibrant | 5 | | history and heritage rooted in ancient traditions; and be it | 6 | | further | 7 | | RESOLVED, That we declare April 1, 2022 as "Assyrian New | 8 | | Year Day" in the State of Illinois in honor of our fellow | 9 | | Illinois residents who celebrate their heritage on this day.
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