HR0300 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0300 LRB095 11892 GRL 35054 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to encourage and support the nomination of "The Munchkins", from the timeless children's classic "The Wizard of Oz" (1939), for induction into the Hollywood Walk of Fame; and

WHEREAS, The movie "The Wizard of Oz" is based on L. Frank Baum's novel "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz", which was first published in 1900 by the George M. Hill Company in Chicago, Illinois, and The Munchkins are among its most recognized and beloved characters; and

WHEREAS, Following the success of "The Wizard of Oz", The Munchkins have become a permanent fixture in the entertainment world, as adaptations and variations on the role they made famous have appeared time-and-time again in books, plays, television, and movies over the past seven decades, including "Return to Oz" (1964, television), "We're Off to See the Munchkins" (1993, film); "The Muppets' Wizard of Oz" (2005, television); and "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West" (1995, Harper Collins); and

WHEREAS, Members of the original Munchkins continue to entertain their legions of fans by appearing at yearly festivals held all over the country celebrating their role and the film The American Film Institute has recognized as one of the greatest films ever made, including each of the past four years at the annual Wizard of Oz Film Festival held at the Hollywood Boulevard Cinema in Woodridge, Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Recognized all over the world, there are few people anywhere that do not know the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, the Wicked Witch, and of course, the famous Munchkins; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we believe that due to the preeminence of the film "The Wizard of Oz" in American cinematic history, and the importance of the worldwide iconic status of The Munchkins, that they should be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the surviving representatives of the Munchkins and to officials from the Hollywood Walk of Fame.