HR1033 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1033 LRB100 21731 ALS 39413 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Arielle Cohen, Maelie Goren, Maritza Cervantes, the 16h Street Theater, and District 100 School Piper Elementary in Berwyn on the production and debut performance of "I am Brave and Unafraid"; and

WHEREAS, Piper Elementary School started its first drama program; the program, led by Maeli Goren and Maritza Cervantes, artists from Berwyn's 16th Street Theater, is sponsored, in part, by the Illinois Arts Council Agency (IACA); and

WHEREAS, Students in grades first through third developed an original play with music inspired by the children's book of the same name written by Arielle Cohen; students were exposed to the world of creative expression and teamwork and met for 18 sessions, which included writing, producing, and ultimately performing an original play with music; and

WHEREAS, "I am Brave and Unafraid" presents the universal values of confidence, curiosity, bravery, and hope, which are important to modern society; performances will take place at the 16th Street Theater on May 8, 2018 and at Piper Elementary School on May 9, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Local author Arielle Cohen crafted her visionary literary work for the cultural and creative enlightenment of our nation's children; she has a passion to educate and inspire others to learn and adopt an "I can" attitude; she encourages readers to take hold of their fears and use their power of thought to be brave and unafraid, thereby increasing their self confidence; she holds a bachelor of arts from the University of Wisconsin and a double master's degree from Gratz College; she lives with her family in Berwyn; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Arielle Cohen, Maeli Goren, Maritza Cervantes, and District 100 School Piper Elementary on their debut performance of "I am Brave and Unafraid," and we commend their hard work and creativity; we wish them continued success in all their future efforts; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Arielle Cohen, Maeli Goren, Maritza Cervantes, the 16th Street Theater, and District 100 School Piper Elementary as an expression of our esteem and respect.