HJ0089 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0089 LRB098 20880 MLW 58399 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois General Assembly are proud to recognize those who distinguish themselves in society and strive to protect the rights of those around them; and

WHEREAS, Nelson Mandela spent over 50 years of his life fighting to improve the lives of his countrymen, end the apartheid regime in South Africa, and advance the causes of democracy and human rights; and

WHEREAS, Nelson Mandela was sentenced to life in prison in 1964 as a political prisoner; and

WHEREAS, Despite his imprisonment, Nelson Mandela continued to meet with political leaders and work towards the improvement of life for all South Africans; and

WHEREAS, Upon his release from prison in 1990 Nelson Mandela worked to reduce violence in South Africa and negotiate a peaceful resolution to racial conflicts and the formation of a new government including democratic elections; and

WHEREAS, In 1993 Nelson Mandela was presented the Liberty Medal by President of the United States William Clinton; and

WHEREAS, In 1993 Nelson Mandela joined Frederik Willem de Klerk in receiving the Nobel Peace Prize "for their work for the peaceful termination of the apartheid regime, and for laying the foundations for a new democratic South Africa"; and

WHEREAS, On April 27, 1994 Nelson Mandela voted for the first time in his life in South Africa's democratic elections; and

WHEREAS, On May 10, 1994 Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as South Africa's first democratically elected president; and

WHEREAS, After his inauguration, Nelson Mandela worked to unite the South African nation and formed the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate crimes committed by both sides during apartheid; and

WHEREAS, Under Nelson Mandela's administration health care, education, electricity, and water access were extended to millions of South Africans that previously lacked access to these services; and

WHEREAS, Nelson Mandela worked to promote peaceful resolutions to international disputes; and

WHEREAS, After retiring from political office in 1999 Nelson Mandela continued his philanthropic works with the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, Nelson Mandela Foundation, and the Mandela Rhodes Foundation; and

WHEREAS, Nelson Mandela passed away on December 5, 2013 at the age of 95; and

WHEREAS, It is fitting we honor the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela by naming the portion of Cicero Avenue beginning at West Roosevelt Road in Chicago, Illinois and ending at West Grand Avenue in Chicago, Illinois in his honor; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate the portion of Cicero Avenue beginning at West Roosevelt Road in Chicago, Illinois and ending at West Grand Avenue in Chicago, Illinois as "Mandela Road"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Transportation is requested to erect at the intersections of Cicero Avenue with West Roosevelt Road, West Lexington Street, West Harrison Street, West Jackson Boulevard, West Madison Street, West Washington Boulevard, West Maypole Avenue, West Lake Street, West Ferdinand Street, West Ohio Street, Chicago Avenue, West Augusta Boulevard, West Division Street, West Hirsch Street, West North Avenue, and West Grand Avenue, consistent with State and federal regulations, appropriate plaques or signs giving notice of the name of Mandela Road on or before July 18, 2015; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation, the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation, and the family of Nelson Mandela.