HR1179 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1179 LRB097 22162 GRL 70893 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Katherine Dunham Centers for Arts and Humanities (KDCAH) will celebrate 2012 as a banner year at the 5th Annual Black-Tie Gala/Silent Auction on August 4, 2012 at Deserts on the Boulevard in St. Louis, Missouri; and

WHEREAS, Miss Katherine Dunham, noted dancer, choreographer, anthropologist, and humanitarian, was born on June 22, 1909; she passed away on May 21, 2006, and would have celebrated her 103rd birthday this year; and

WHEREAS, 2012 marks the 20th anniversary of the Dunham Technique Certification Workshop, which has certified 21 dance instructors, including 5 grandmaster teachers and 5 master teachers; 2012 also marks the 20th anniversary of Miss Dunham's 47-day fast to protest the repatriation of Haitian refugees; and

WHEREAS, The United States Postal Service released a forever stamp in commemoration of Miss Dunham's legacy as a master choreographer in Los Angeles, California on July 28, 2012; and

WHEREAS, 2012 is the year of the 29th Annual Dunham Technique Seminar, where individuals are taught not only the Dunham Technique, but learn about the philosophy, pedagogy, and choreography of Miss Dunham; and

WHEREAS, KDCAH will present awards to the Arbogast Family and Mr. Mark Kern for individual philanthropy; the Casino Queen for organizational philanthropy; and the Lifetime Achievement Award to Joan Myers Brown; and

WHEREAS, The 5th Annual Gala/Silent Auction will celebrate these extraordinary accomplishments and will be co-hosted by actor, dancer, and singer Debbie Allen, as well as Ron Himes, actor, choreographer, and founding director of the St. Louis Black Repertory company; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we thank and applaud the Board of Directors of the Katherine Dunham Centers for Arts and Humanities for keeping the legacy of Katherine Dunham alive, visible, and viable in the Metro East area; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Katherine Dunham Centers for Arts and Humanities as a symbol of our respect and esteem.