HR0601 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0601 LRB097 14656 KXB 59546 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate B. Taylor for singing the National Anthem on Veterans Day, November 11, 2011, at the Inaugural Quicken Loans Carrier Classic game between Michigan State and North Carolina on the USS Vinson near San Diego, California; and

WHEREAS, President Barack Obama, Magic Johnson, representing Michigan State, James Worthy, representing North Carolina, and high ranking dignitaries, will join this celebration of all veterans on the aircraft carrier that buried Osama Bin Laden at sea; and

WHEREAS, B. Taylor, a multi-talented musician who plays 4 instruments, writer, and producer is the first since Michael Jackson and only hip hop artist endorsed by the Gordy family and the Motown Legends, including Pete Moore, Claudette Robinson, Bobby Rogers of Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Mary Wilson of the Supremes, the Marvelettes, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, the Temptations, the Four Tops, and by the Cash Family of country music fame; and

WHEREAS, Motown Legends Pete Moore, Claudette Robinson and other Legends will attend the 2011 Quicken Loans Carrier Classic in support of B. Taylor who they have titled as "the Stevie Wonder of Hip Hop" and the "New Sound of Classic Motown"; and

WHEREAS, B. Taylor's hit "Fire in Your Eyes" with NCIS star Pauley Perrette has been submitted for consideration for nomination at the upcoming 54th Annual Grammy Awards; it was #1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles Sales chart for 2 weeks, #2 for 5 weeks, in the top 10 for 9 weeks, and hit #4 on the Billboard Hot Singles Sales chart (all genres); and

WHEREAS, A 1996 graduate of Dunlap High School, B. Taylor was a football and basketball star, University of Missouri athlete, and United States Navy Veteran who was a member of the All Navy-USA basketball team; he chose to pursue a career in music over the National Football League; and

WHEREAS, B. Taylor, son of Bill and Willie Ann Taylor, most enjoys returning home to share his inspiring message of hope, faith, and honesty with students, including those of the Dunlap and Peoria schools; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we commend B. Taylor on the honor of his singing the National Anthem at this historic Veterans Day celebration and wish him every success in his career; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to B. Taylor and his family as an expression of our esteem.