HR0543 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0543 LRB096 13359 GRL 28062 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, In 1977, the Marchegiana Society of Chicago Heights chose to establish a Sister City affiliation with San Benedetto del Tronto, Provincia della Marche, Italy, the city and region from which many Chicago Heights families emigrated to the United States; and

WHEREAS, The San Benedetto del Tronto, Marche, Italy - Chicago Heights Sister City affiliation was created on June 19, 1977 by proclamation and by unanimous vote of both city councils; the affiliation was celebrated at that time by official visits of citizens and public officials to both Sister Cities; and

WHEREAS, Since that time, exchanges of both a casual and official nature have occurred, creating opportunities for thousands of residents to visit and enjoy the culture and traditions to be found in both locations; and

WHEREAS, Every year, many people from the City of Chicago Heights return to visit and to renew the ties of family and friendship that keep the cities bound as one people; and

WHEREAS, In 1984, Chicago Heights School District 170 and the schools of San Benedetto del Tronto were mutually instrumental in establishing a student exchange that has grown and become a model of successful Sister City projects; and

WHEREAS, Each year, approximately two dozen high school age students from Chicago Heights are hosted in the San Benedetto region; in alternate years, a similar number of students from San Benedetto are hosted by families in and around Chicago Heights; and

WHEREAS, This exchange has prospered and grown to the extent that over a thousand students have participated and enjoyed the cultural, educational, and intellectual stimulation engendered by foreign travel; for many, the opportunity to create friendships that may last a lifetime, or the opportunity to reestablish links with family that are well-known or, as yet, unrecognized; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the citizens of the State of Illinois to honor the San Benedetto del Tronto, Marche, Italy - Chicago Heights Sister City affiliation and express our continued admiration and support for the affiliation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Alex Lopez, Mayor of the City of Chicago Heights, as a symbol of our esteem and respect.