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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The year 2021 marks 104 years since the Bolshevik
3Revolution in Russia, which resulted in the world's first
4communist regime under Vladimir Lenin; this led to decades of
5oppression and violence under communist regimes throughout the
6world; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Based on the philosophy of Karl Marx, communism
8has proven incompatible with the ideals of liberty,
9prosperity, and dignity of human life and has given rise to
10such infamous totalitarian dictators as Joseph Stalin, Mao
11Zedong, Ho Chi Minh, Pol Pot, Nicolae Ceausescu, the Castro
12brothers, and the Kim dynasty; and
 
13    WHEREAS, A National Day for the Victims of Communism was
14declared November 7, 2017, condemning communism as a political
15philosophy "incompatible with liberty, prosperity, and the
16dignity of human life"; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Communist regimes worldwide have killed over 100
18million people and subjected countless others to the worst and
19most widespread human rights abuses known to history, with
20victims representing many different ethnicities, creeds, and
21backgrounds; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Communist regimes have, as a matter of government
2policy, robbed their own citizens of the rights of freedom of
3religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of association
4through coercion, brutality, and fear; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Many victims of communism were persecuted as
6political prisoners for speaking out against these regimes,
7and others were killed in genocidal state-sponsored purges;
8and
 
9    WHEREAS, In addition to violating basic human rights,
10communist regimes have suppressed freedom of conscience,
11cultural life, and self-determination movements in over 40
12nations; and
 
13    WHEREAS, The Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation in
14Washington, D.C. is a nonprofit organization, authorized by a
15unanimous Act of the United States Congress that educates
16people about the ideology, history, and legacy of communism
17and honors the people who have suffered and died under
18communist regimes; therefore, be it
 
19    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL
20ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare November 7,
212021 as Victims of Communism Memorial Day in the State of
22Illinois; and be it further
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
2presented to the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation as a
3symbol of our respect and esteem.