HR0359 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0359 LRB095 11495 KXB 32651 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Kendall Ciesemier, an esteemed resident of Wheaton and a student at Franklin Middle School in Wheaton, has achieved national recognition for exemplary volunteer service by being named one of the two top volunteers in the State of Illinois in the 2007 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards; and

WHEREAS, This prestigious award, presented by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, honors young volunteers across America who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to serving their communities; and

WHEREAS, Kendall, an eighth-grade student, formed a nonprofit organization that has raised $50,000 since 2004 to benefit AIDS orphans in Africa; Kendall, who has faced her own struggles as she underwent two liver transplants, was inspired to volunteer by watching an Oprah Winfrey TV special about the African AIDS epidemic; and

WHEREAS, Kendall used her own money to adopt an AIDS orphan through World Vision; during her recovery from surgery she made the decision to ask people for money for AIDS orphans in lieu of gifts or flowers for her; Kendall and her family established "Kids Caring 4 Kids", an ongoing effort to raise money through a variety of projects, including a website that accepts donations and sales of T-shirts designed by Kendall herself; and

WHEREAS, Kendall has raised money and sent it to a village in Zambia to help pay for education, food, and medicine; she frequently speaks to groups about the AIDS epidemic and reaches out to young people to make them aware of the crisis; and

WHEREAS, The success of the State of Illinois, the strength of our communities, and the overall vitality of American society depend, in great measure, upon the dedication of young people like Kendall Ciesemier who use their considerable talents and resources to serve others; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Kendall Ciesemier on being a recipient of a 2007 Prudential Spirit of Community Award, recognizing her outstanding record of volunteer service, peer leadership, and community spirit, and extend our best wishes for her continued success and happiness; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Kendall Ciesemier as a symbol of our esteem.