Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of SR0044

SR0044 LRB104 08514 ECR 18566 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate wish to congratulate the North Lawndale Eagles Youth Sports Program on its football program winning the 2024 Illinois American Youth Football (AYF) State Championships in the 8U (8 and under) and the 13U (13 and under) divisions; and

WHEREAS, The North Lawndale Eagles Youth Sports Program began as an unincorporated, grassroots, community-based, seasonal football program for at-risk youth aged 5 to 13 more than 30 years ago; the football program was established and continues to serve as an alternative to violence and at-risk behavior, benefiting more than 100 participants each year and never turning away those interested in the program; and

WHEREAS, The North Lawndale Eagles Youth Sports Program evolved from its football program into a not-for-profit organization based in Illinois, providing youth sports development programming to high at-risk Chicago Public School (CPS) students residing in gang-infested, crime-ridden and underserved neighborhoods on Chicago's West Side, which includes the communities of North Lawndale, East Garfield, West Humboldt, West Garfield, East Garfield, and Austin; and

WHEREAS, The North Lawndale Eagles Youth Sports Program serves 20 different CPS schools through the collaborative support of several community-based organizations, and the program operates through the Douglas Park Field House Cultural Center, Collins High School, and Mount Sinai Hospital; and

WHEREAS, The North Lawndale Eagles Youth Sports Program additionally provides pick-up and drop-off transportation to youth parenting meetings to discuss how participants are performing on a regular basis and conducts reviews of participants' school report cards; the sports program further holds an annual sports banquet and ceremony to honor outstanding student athletes, parents, sponsors, and elected officials; and

WHEREAS, The North Lawndale Eagles Youth Sports Program participants have, through their continued involvement, shown increased school attendance, improved academic performance, and decreased conflict along with enhanced anger management skills and self-discipline; and

WHEREAS, The North Lawndale Eagles Youth Sports Program's football program is led by President Charles "Coach" Rice, Vice President Antwon Edwards, Head Coaches Kristian Palmer and LaTorrance Triplett Sr., and Assistant Coaches Ervin Richardson, Louis Gates, Darnell Grissom, Antonio Stewart, Levija Altman Sr., Jullian Johnson, and Joran Straub; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the North Lawndale Eagles Youth Sports Program on its football program winning the 2024 Illinois American Youth Football (AYF) State Championships in the 8U (8 and under) and the 13U (13 and under) divisions, and we wish its football program continued success; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to President Charles "Coach" Rice of the North Lawndale Eagle Youth Sports Program as an expression of our respect and esteem.