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| 1 | SENATE RESOLUTION | ||||||
| 2 | WHEREAS, In the early 20th century, many Arab families | ||||||
| 3 | began migrating to southwestern Cook County seeking a better | ||||||
| 4 | life and the opportunity to build a supportive community in | ||||||
| 5 | the United States; these families have contributed to the rich | ||||||
| 6 | cultural landscape of Little Palestine, transforming it into a | ||||||
| 7 | beacon of hope and resilience; and | ||||||
| 8 | WHEREAS, Little Palestine, located in the southwestern | ||||||
| 9 | region of Cook County, is home to the largest Palestinian | ||||||
| 10 | community in the nation and the fourth largest Arab American | ||||||
| 11 | population in the country, spanning a five-mile stretch from | ||||||
| 12 | 79th and Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview to Harlem Avenue and | ||||||
| 13 | College Drive in Palos Heights; and | ||||||
| 14 | WHEREAS, Little Palestine features over 200 Arab-owned | ||||||
| 15 | businesses and community-serving institutions, including a | ||||||
| 16 | community college, a hospital, three high schools, and more | ||||||
| 17 | than 20 organizations and institutions; and | ||||||
| 18 | WHEREAS, The Arab American Business and Professional | ||||||
| 19 | Association, along with a coalition of organizations, is | ||||||
| 20 | advocating for the official recognition of Little Palestine | ||||||
| 21 | Day on the 7th day of April each year to help build cultural | ||||||
| 22 | awareness, increase tourism, and boost economic vitality in | ||||||
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| 1 | this region; and | ||||||
| 2 | WHEREAS, Recognition of Little Palestine Day will help | ||||||
| 3 | serve as a celebration of the community's rich heritage, | ||||||
| 4 | promote solidarity among residents, and encourage support for | ||||||
| 5 | local businesses and cultural initiatives; and | ||||||
| 6 | WHEREAS, The heart and soul of the Arab community lies in | ||||||
| 7 | its people, individuals who embody ambitions, creativity, and | ||||||
| 8 | aspirations that surpass the ordinary; their contributions | ||||||
| 9 | continue to reshape the narrative of the area, making it a | ||||||
| 10 | testament to hope, resilience, and cultural pride; therefore, | ||||||
| 11 | be it | ||||||
| 12 | RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL | ||||||
| 13 | ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare April 7, | ||||||
| 14 | 2025 as "Little Palestine Day" in the State of Illinois; and be | ||||||
| 15 | it further | ||||||
| 16 | RESOLVED, That we urge Illinoisans to celebrate Little | ||||||
| 17 | Palestine Day by supporting businesses and cultural | ||||||
| 18 | initiatives in Little Palestine and attending or hosting | ||||||
| 19 | events showcasing the contributions of the Arab American | ||||||
| 20 | community to the United States; and be it further | ||||||
| 21 | RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be | ||||||
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| 1 | provided to the Arab American Business and Professional | ||||||
| 2 | Association as a symbol of our respect and esteem. | ||||||