HR0578 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0578 LRB100 13875 MST 28639 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize the life of Great Grand Master Al Tracy; and

WHEREAS, Great Grand Master Tracy began studying Kenpo Karate in 1957 and was promoted to black belt in 1962; and

WHEREAS, Great Grand Master Tracy and his brother, Jim, began teaching classes, creating belt manuals, and naming Kenpo techniques; and

WHEREAS, Great Grand Master Tracy and his brother took over operation of the Kenpo Karate Association of America and joined the International Kenpo Karate Association; he continued to teach the "original" Kenpo as was first taught to him; and

WHEREAS, The Tracy brothers opened schools throughout California and many other states, forming Tracy's International Studios of Self-Defense; the organization, based out of Lexington, Kentucky, is a worldwide organization comprised of 1,000 schools; it is the largest, longest-running self-defense chain in the world; and

WHEREAS, In 1999, Great Grand Master Tracy organized the largest gathering of Kenpo Karate members in the world, "The Gathering of Eagles"; it was a true historic event that brought together over 70 masters; and

WHEREAS, Great Grand Master Tracy is one of the few remaining patriarchs within the Kenpo Karate family; his mission is to help preserve and pass on over 800 years of history, traditions, legacy, and the true lineage of Kenpo; he recognizes the Kenpo system as his heritage; he believes it is what one gives back to the art of Kenpo that will endure, not what one takes or gains; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the life of Great Grand Master Al Tracy and thank him for his commitment to his community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Great Grand Master Tracy as a symbol of our respect and esteem.