SR0913 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0913 LRB094 22051 KXB 60621 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois State Senate are pleased to recognize significant milestones celebrated by the citizens of this State and are especially pleased to recognize a milestone event celebrated by a member of the Illinois Senate; and

WHEREAS, Senator Miguel del Valle has devoted his life to his community, having served on the Illinois Democratic State Central Committee from 1994-1998, representing the 4th Congressional District, as the Unit Director of Barreto Boys and Girls Club, as the Executive Director of Association House, and as State Senator since 1987; and

WHEREAS, Senator Miguel del Valle, the first Latino elected to the Illinois Senate, was also the first Latino to serve as Assistant Majority Leader in the Illinois Senate, where he has been an outspoken advocate for Latino representation in all levels and branches of government; his leadership in redistricting cases in 1981, 1991, and 2001 led to the creation of Latino majority districts on the city, county, and State levels; and

WHEREAS, Senator Miguel del Valle was the first to champion the free school breakfast and lunch programs in Illinois schools; he has also been a leading advocate of providing a better education for the children of Illinois, especially advocating for more early childhood education teachers; he has also been a proponent of providing comprehensive health coverage for every child in Illinois and increasing funding for Advanced Placement courses in Illinois high schools; and

WHEREAS, Senator Miguel del Valle is the founder of the Illinois Association of Hispanic State Employees (IAHSE); he also co-founded numerous other Latino organizations, including the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus, of which he is a co-chair; the Illinois Latino Advisory Council on Higher Education (ILACHE); the Alliance of Latinos and Jews; and the Illinois Hispanic Democratic Council (IHDC); he also developed the annual Department of Children and Family Services Hispanic Families Conference; and

WHEREAS, Senator Miguel del Valle was born in Puerto Rico and grew up in the West Town and Humboldt Park areas; he graduated from Tuley High School (now Roberto Clemente High School) in 1969 and went on to Northeastern Illinois University, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education and his Master's degree in Counseling; and

WHEREAS, Senator Miguel del Valle and his wife, Lupe, have four children; and

WHEREAS, Senator Miguel del Valle has ably served the people of the 2nd Senate District, including West Town, Humboldt Park, Logan Square, Hermosa, and Belmont/Cragin; his district also included portions of Portage Park, Dunning, Montclare, and Austin for the past 19 years; and

WHEREAS, Senator Miguel del Valle was appointed to serve as the City Clerk of the City of Chicago, the first Latino to serve in that position; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate State Senator Miguel del Valle on his 19-year career in the Illinois Senate and wish him the very best of luck in his new endeavor as Chicago City Clerk; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a fitting copy of this resolution be presented to him as a lasting expression of the respect and admiration he has earned from the Illinois Senate.