HR0831 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0831 LRB099 15003 MST 39199 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Attitudes towards the Confederate battle emblem have changed drastically over the years, with it being viewed by an ever-increasing number of people as a symbol of bigotry and oppression; and

WHEREAS, Recently, student leaders at the University of Mississippi voted to remove the Mississippi state flag, which contains the Confederate battle emblem, from campus until such time as the flag's design is changed to remove the Confederate battle emblem; and

WHEREAS, Although the vote reflects the desires of the University of Mississippi's students, it was a non-binding vote; the ultimate decision on whether to remove the Mississippi state flag from the campus resided with school administrators; and

WHEREAS, Several other public universities in Mississippi have already chosen to cease flying the state flag; and

WHEREAS, On October 26, 2015, University of Mississippi Interim Chancellor Morris Stocks ordered the flag lowered; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the University of Mississippi student body on having their voice heard and being successful in obtaining the removal of the Mississippi state flag from campus; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the University of Mississippi student body as an expression of our esteem and respect.