SR0865LRB103 39990 MST 71251 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The United States commemorates National Women's
3History Month every March to recognize and honor the
4contributions of women throughout the history of the United
5States and the women making history now; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Latinas contribute to the cultural, economic, and
7political power of the United States; and
 
8    WHEREAS, There are approximately 30,000,000 Latinas living
9in the United States, and 1,120,000 Latinas live in the State
10of Illinois; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Latinas continue to be greatly underrepresented
12in elected office; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Latinas represent 9.3% of the United States
14population but only 3% of elected officeholders in state and
15federal offices across the country; and
 
16    WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is a model for supporting
17and electing Latinas; and
 
18    WHEREAS, The State of Illinois has significantly increased
19the representation of Latinas at all levels of government by

 

 

SR0865- 2 -LRB103 39990 MST 71251 r

1electing the diverse and powerful Latinas of Illinois' Third
2Congressional District, including Village of Franklin Park
3Clerk April Arellano, Village of Addison Trustee Maria Reyes,
4Bensenville Village Trustee Rosa Carmona, Hanover Township
5Trustee Denise Noyola, Assistant City Manager of Elgin Karina
6Nava, Council Member for the City of Elgin Rosamaria Martinez,
7Alderperson Ruth Cruz, Alderperson Jessie Fuentes, Alderperson
8Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez, Metropolitan Water Reclamation
9District of Greater Chicago Board Commissioner Eira L. Corral
10Sepúlveda, State Representative Eva Dina Delgado, State
11Representative Lilian Jimenez, State Representative Norma
12Hernandez, State Senator Karina Villa, State Senator Natalie
13Toro, State Senator Cristina Castro, and U.S. Representative
14Delia C. Ramirez; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Additional Latinas of the Illinois Legislative
16Latino Caucus include State Senator Celina Villenueva, State
17Representative Barbara Hernandez, State Representative Dagmara
18Avelar, and State Representative Angelica Guerrero Cuellar;
19and
 
20    WHEREAS, Many of the Latinas elected to their positions
21are the first Latinas in their roles or the first Latinas to
22serve in their communities; and
 
23    WHEREAS, The State of Illinois elected State

 

 

SR0865- 3 -LRB103 39990 MST 71251 r

1Representative Elizabeth Hernandez, the highest ranking and
2longest serving Latina in the Illinois State Assembly, to
3chair the Illinois Democratic Party, and in that position, she
4continues to ensure that Latinas are represented and
5recognized in political positions; and
 
6    WHEREAS, The work of the dedicated Latinas of the Illinois
7Legislative Latino Caucus has resulted in successful
8legislative action on health equity, Latino representation,
9economic justice, education, immigration, and language access
10to address the needs of Latinos in all areas of the State; and
 
11    WHEREAS, The work of Latinas at all levels of government
12in the State of Illinois has resulted in the codification of
13women's rights and the expansion of healthcare for
14undocumented people; and
 
15    WHEREAS, The grassroots, organizing, and political
16participation of Latinas resulted in the election of the first
17Latina from the Midwest to Congress; and
 
18    WHEREAS, The voices, lived experiences, and contributions
19of Latinas in the State of Illinois continue to have long
20lasting, positive impacts for the communities that they serve;
21and
 

 

 

SR0865- 4 -LRB103 39990 MST 71251 r

1    WHEREAS, Latinas representing Latinas is necessary to
2build a multicultural, multigenerational movement that
3acknowledges the shared humanity of others; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Significant progress has been made to increase
5the representation of Latinas in all decision-making spaces;
6and
 
7    WHEREAS, There is still work that needs to be done until we
8achieve equitable representation of Latinas in all sectors,
9industries, and leadership roles; therefore, be it
 
10    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
11ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we celebrate the
12impact and contributions of contemporary Latinas in the State
13of Illinois; and be it further
 
14    RESOLVED, That we acknowledge the value of Latinas and the
15essential role they play in our multicultural,
16multigenerational democracy; and be it further
 
17    RESOLVED, That we recognize the importance of accurate and
18timely data on Latinas living in the United States and the role
19that the U.S. Census Bureau plays in delivering data that
20impacts the political and economic power and influence of
21Latinas.