HR0400 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0400 LRB101 12489 ALS 60926 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate the Coalition of Limited English Speaking Elderly (CLESE) on the occasion of its 30th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, Founded in 1989, CLESE is a membership organization with the mission of serving immigrant and refugee older adults of all races and ethnicities; it aims to improve the lives of limited-English-speaking older adults by providing leadership, education, and advocacy; and

WHEREAS, Illinois is home to over 250,000 individuals 60 years and older, who were born outside of the United States; the only way most limited-English-speaking elderly receive the services for which they are eligible is through a provider who speaks their language and, more importantly, understands their culture; and

WHEREAS, CLESE speaks over 100 languages and dialects and represents 51 ethno-linguistic member organizations that serve minority communities in the State; and

WHEREAS, Over 15,000 limited-English speaking elderly, one-sixth of the State's total clients, receive Community Care Program Services from CLESE member organizations; and

WHEREAS, CLESE has won many awards, including the Brookdale Award for its pioneering work in developing home care training material and in serving ethnic clients with ethnic home care workers, the Innovations in Caregiving Award from the National Council on Aging, the Healthcare Aging Award and the NOMA Award for Excellence in Multicultural Aging from the American Society on Aging, the John Feather Diversity Award from the Grantmakers in Aging, and the John A. Hartford 2018 Business Innovation award from the Business and Disability Institute; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Coalition of Limited English Speaking Elderly on the occasion of its 30th anniversary and commend its dedication to increasing awareness of the needs, rights, and unique contributions of limited-English-speaking older adults and the community-based ethnic agencies that serve them; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Marta Pereyra, Executive Director of CLESE, as an expression of our esteem and respect.