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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The year 2017 marked 100 years since the Bolshevik
3Revolution in Russia which resulted in the world's first
4communist regime under Vladimir Lenin; this led to decades of
5oppression and violence under communist regimes throughout the
6world; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Based on the philosophy of Karl Marx, communism
8has proven incompatible with the ideals of liberty, prosperity,
9and dignity of human life and has given rise to such infamous
10totalitarian dictators as Joseph Stalin, Mao Zedong, Ho Chi
11Minh, Pol Pot, Nicolae Ceausescu, the Castro brothers, and the
12Kim dynasty; and
 
13    WHEREAS, A National Day for the Victims of Communism was
14declared November 7, 2017, condemning communism as a political
15philosophy "incompatible with liberty, prosperity, and the
16dignity of human life"; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Communist regimes worldwide have killed over 100
18million people and subjected countless others to the worst and
19most widespread human rights abuses known to history, with
20victims representing many different ethnicities, creeds, and
21backgrounds; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Communist regimes have, as a matter of government
2policy, robbed their own citizens of the rights of freedom of
3religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of association through
4coercion, brutality, and fear; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Many victims of communism were persecuted as
6political prisoners for speaking out against these regimes, and
7others were killed in genocidal state-sponsored purges; and
 
8    WHEREAS, In addition to violating basic human rights,
9communist regimes have suppressed freedom of conscience,
10cultural life, and self-determination movements in over 40
11nations; and
 
12    WHEREAS, The Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation in
13Washington, D.C. is a nonprofit organization, authorized by
14unanimous Act of the United States Congress, that educates
15people about the ideology, history, and legacy of communism and
16honors the people who have suffered and died under communist
17regimes; therefore, be it
 
18    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
19HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
20we declare November 7, 2019 as Victims of Communism Memorial
21Day in the State of Illinois; and be it further
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
2presented to the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation as a
3symbol of our respect and esteem.