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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Children who have had a loved one die, especially
3a friend or close family member, can carry that loss with them
4forever, causing confusion and fearfulness as they struggle to
5understand why their loved one was taken away; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Willow House is the only non-profit organization
7in the entire State that provides extended services at no fee
8to children and families; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Counseling provided by Willow House offers
10emotional support for children struggling with grief, allowing
11them to find guidance and understanding during an extremely
12difficult time; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Willow House Board President Kitty Hoffman began
14helping children after her son, Michael, along with 7 other
15students, were killed while riding aboard a school bus that was
16involved in a railroad crossing accident in Fox River Grove on
17October 25, 1995; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Florida and Pennsylvania have already signed on in
19support of grieving children by declaring Thursday, November
2017, 2011, as "Children's Grief Awareness Day" in their
21respective states; and
 

 

 

HR0487- 2 -LRB097 12772 KXB 57282 r

1    WHEREAS, On November 17, 2011, citizens and communities
2throughout Illinois are encouraged to wear blue in an effort to
3raise awareness and show their support for mournful children
4and the grief centers that seek to serve those young people
5confounded by the reality of death; therefore, be it
 
6    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
7NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
8we recognize November 17, 2011, as "Children's Grief Awareness
9Day" in the State of Illinois; and be it further
 
10    RESOLVED, That Willow House be recognized for its efforts
11to support children, teens, families, and communities who are
12coping with death and dying; and be it further
 
13    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
14presented to Kitty Hoffman as a symbol of our respect and
15esteem.