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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, In 1979 at age 12, Rafael A. Estrada and his
3family fled Nicaragua during the violent civil war to pursue
4freedom in America and Galesburg; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Rafael Estrada graduated from Augustana College
6in Rock Island with a Bachelor of Arts in Political
7Science/International Relations and from North Park University
8in Chicago with a Master of Business Administration; while at
9Augustana, he met his dear and devoted spouse, Amy Bailie
10Estrada; together, they had four wonderful children; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Rafael Estrada would embody the American Dream
12and build a successful national and international business
13career in finance, real estate, and business management; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Rafael Estrada would give to his local community
15in numerous ways, including in service to the Knox County
16Sheriff's Auxiliary Police, rising through the ranks of
17sergeant, lieutenant, and chief during his volunteer tenure;
18and
 
19    WHEREAS, Rafael Estrada never forgot his birthplace of
20Nicaragua and established a foundation, Free and Fair
21Inc/Nicaraguans for Security and Prosperity, based in Illinois

 

 

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1with remote offices in Texas, Costa Rica, and Spain; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Rafael Estrada's foundation would provide
3critical supplies, support, and safety for people oppressed by
4the Ortega regime inside Nicaragua and for refugees who fled
5under threats of death, torture, and imprisonment; it also
6provides help to widows, widowers, and family members of those
7killed for their opposition to the government; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Rafael Estrada and his foundation specifically
9aid those persecuted for their religious beliefs, for their
10political positions, and for being members of the media
11exposing corruption and violence against Nicaraguan citizens;
12and
 
13    WHEREAS, Rafael Estrada has testified before U.S. Congress
14and the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission to bring light to
15the human rights abuses, where he was introduced by key
16committee member Rep. Darin LaHood of Illinois; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Rafael Estrada has traveled frequently to
18Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, and Spain to personally help
19the oppressed and persecuted, often at great personal risk to
20himself and his team; therefore, be it
 
21    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE

 

 

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1HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
2we express our profound gratitude to Rafael A. Estrada for his
3outstanding and continuing humanitarian, philanthropic, and
4community service in Illinois and around the world; and be it
5further
 
6    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
7presented to Rafael Estrada as an expression of our deepest
8appreciation and respect.