SR0913 LRB094 22051 KXB 60621 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois State Senate are
3 pleased to recognize significant milestones celebrated by the
4 citizens of this State and are especially pleased to recognize
5 a milestone event celebrated by a member of the Illinois
6 Senate; and
 
7     WHEREAS, Senator Miguel del Valle has devoted his life to
8 his community, having served on the Illinois Democratic State
9 Central Committee from 1994-1998, representing the 4th
10 Congressional District, as the Unit Director of Barreto Boys
11 and Girls Club, as the Executive Director of Association House,
12 and as State Senator since 1987; and
 
13     WHEREAS, Senator Miguel del Valle, the first Latino elected
14 to the Illinois Senate, was also the first Latino to serve as
15 Assistant Majority Leader in the Illinois Senate, where he has
16 been an outspoken advocate for Latino representation in all
17 levels and branches of government; his leadership in
18 redistricting cases in 1981, 1991, and 2001 led to the creation
19 of Latino majority districts on the city, county, and State
20 levels; and
 
21     WHEREAS, Senator Miguel del Valle was the first to champion
22 the free school breakfast and lunch programs in Illinois
23 schools; he has also been a leading advocate of providing a
24 better education for the children of Illinois, especially
25 advocating for more early childhood education teachers; he has
26 also been a proponent of providing comprehensive health
27 coverage for every child in Illinois and increasing funding for
28 Advanced Placement courses in Illinois high schools; and
 
29     WHEREAS, Senator Miguel del Valle is the founder of the
30 Illinois Association of Hispanic State Employees (IAHSE); he
31 also co-founded numerous other Latino organizations, including

 

 

SR0913 - 2 - LRB094 22051 KXB 60621 r

1 the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus, of which he is a
2 co-chair; the Illinois Latino Advisory Council on Higher
3 Education (ILACHE); the Alliance of Latinos and Jews; and the
4 Illinois Hispanic Democratic Council (IHDC); he also developed
5 the annual Department of Children and Family Services Hispanic
6 Families Conference; and
 
7     WHEREAS, Senator Miguel del Valle was born in Puerto Rico
8 and grew up in the West Town and Humboldt Park areas; he
9 graduated from Tuley High School (now Roberto Clemente High
10 School) in 1969 and went on to Northeastern Illinois
11 University, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Secondary
12 Education and his Master's degree in Counseling; and
 
13     WHEREAS, Senator Miguel del Valle and his wife, Lupe, have
14 four children; and
 
15     WHEREAS, Senator Miguel del Valle has ably served the
16 people of the 2nd Senate District, including West Town,
17 Humboldt Park, Logan Square, Hermosa, and Belmont/Cragin; his
18 district also included portions of Portage Park, Dunning,
19 Montclare, and Austin for the past 19 years; and
 
20     WHEREAS, Senator Miguel del Valle was appointed to serve as
21 the City Clerk of the City of Chicago, the first Latino to
22 serve in that position; therefore, be it
 
23     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL
24 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate State
25 Senator Miguel del Valle on his 19-year career in the Illinois
26 Senate and wish him the very best of luck in his new endeavor
27 as Chicago City Clerk; and be it further
 
28     RESOLVED, That a fitting copy of this resolution be
29 presented to him as a lasting expression of the respect and
30 admiration he has earned from the Illinois Senate.