HR0461 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0461 LRB099 12102 MST 34779 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate the members of NEW Leadership Illinois on the occasion of its 10th anniversary in 2015; and

WHEREAS, NEW Leadership Illinois is a non-partisan, week-long residential program for college women, which includes a policy theme and interaction with policy experts from the University of Illinois and elsewhere, with the goal of not only understanding one particular policy problem but also gaining important skills in effectively using expert information to make a persuasive argument; it is designed to increase the representation of women in all elements of public life, including elected office; and

WHEREAS, Students learn firsthand from the program what it means to serve in public office and as women leaders; the program includes visits from current and former legislators, other elected and appointed officials, lobbyists, and political campaign staff, who serve as mentors in the program; keynotes, panels, and roundtable discussions are held so that students are able to see policy in action by visiting government offices during the week; and

WHEREAS, NEW Leadership Illinois is a joint initiative of the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois and the Conference of Women Legislators of the Illinois General Assembly; NEW Leadership Illinois has been developed in partnership with the NEW Leadership Development Network established by the Center for American Women and Politics, with a network that includes 14 states and the District of Columbia; its mission is to promote greater knowledge and understanding about women's participation in politics and government and to enhance women's influence and leadership in public life; and

WHEREAS, NEW Leadership Illinois has helped Illinois rank among the top 10 states for women political leadership as it has equipped over 200 young women since 2006 with the tools needed to be successful in later careers in public services; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the members of NEW Leadership Illinois on its 10th anniversary and wish the organization and its members continued success in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the NEW Leadership Illinois as a symbol of our esteem and respect.