SR0185LRB102 17833 LAW 24261 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, On October 23, 1956, over 100,000 ordinary
3citizens of Hungary became freedom fighters when they revolted
4against their communist government that was under the
5influence of the Soviet Union; what started as a peaceful
6protest turned violent when the protestors were fired upon by
7security police, which triggered the bloody fight for freedom;
8and
 
9    WHEREAS, The Soviet Union launched a military
10counteroffensive to suppress the revolt, but not before
11thousands gave their lives for freedom; more than 200,000
12Hungarians fled their country in the aftermath of the Soviet
13suppression of the Hungarian Uprising, and over 47,000 of
14these people eventually settled in the United States; and
 
15    WHEREAS, On October 23, 1989, the Republic of Hungary
16declared its independence, which contributed to the collapse
17of the Soviet Union and communism in Eastern Europe;
18Hungarians led the first revolt against communist occupiers
19and inspired other captive nations to defend their freedom;
20and
 
21    WHEREAS, Hungary became a member of NATO on March 12, 1999
22and a member of the European Union on May 1, 2004; as a former

 

 

SR0185- 2 -LRB102 17833 LAW 24261 r

1Warsaw Pact nation, Hungary has proven itself as a reliable
2military ally in support against the global war on terrorism
3and as a provider of humanitarian aid in the fight against the
4COVID-19 pandemic; and
 
5    WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is proud to be called home
6by a large number of Hungarians; Hungarian Americans and their
7descendants have contributed greatly to the economic
8development, multicultural diversity, and enrichment of all
9aspects of life in the State of Illinois; therefore, be it
 
10    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL
11ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare October 23,
122021 as Hungarian Freedom Fighters Day and declare the month
13of October 2021 as Hungarian Freedom Month.