HR0968 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0968 LRB093 22243 HSS 51184 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Kenwood Oakland Community Organization has a long and meritorious history of being an effective venue for low-income and working families to identify and address community issues; and

WHEREAS, The Kenwood Oakland Community Organization has an over 13 year history of ground-breaking youth leadership development work with in-school, after-school, and weekend programs; and

WHEREAS, The Kenwood Oakland Community Organization believes in working locally while thinking globally; and

WHEREAS, Representatives of the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization were successful in organizing a two-day Youth Summit as a part of the historic United Nations World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related Intolerances (WCAR) held August 28, 2001 through September 7, 2001 in Durban, South Africa; and

WHEREAS, Representatives of the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization successfully created a safe space for young people to have their voices heard at the conference, which resulted in the youth calling for a face-to-face International Youth Network, which was supported by the United Nations; and

WHEREAS, The Kenwood Oakland Community Organization mobilized 250 youth leaders to attend the Movement Beyond Borders Conference May 1, 2003 to May 3, 2003 in Washington, D.C., as the first official U.S. follow-up activity to the WCAR; and

WHEREAS, The youth representatives of the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization requested and received a mandate from the conference to host a National Youth Conference in Chicago in 2004; and

WHEREAS, The youth representatives of the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization collaborated with organizations and agencies nationwide to organize and implement a National Youth Conference entitled "Towards a Common Struggle...Organizing a National Agenda for a Young People's Movement" held at Jones College Preparatory High School April 3, 2004 through April 4, 2004; and

WHEREAS, The young people made the call for a National Youth Network, which was supported by the conference participants; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we pledge our support to the development of the National Youth Network and the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization in its mission of developing youth leaders who are prepared to create positive change in our communities; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization as an expression of our esteem.