HR1075 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1075 LRB100 21968 MST 39989 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate B'nai B'rith International on the occasion of its 175th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, B'nai B'rith was founded on the lower east side of New York to improve the lives of new Jewish immigrants to America; and

WHEREAS, B'nai B'rith is the oldest service organization founded in the United States and has an unparalleled record of aiding humanity in communities throughout the United States and several dozen nations around the world; and

WHEREAS, B'nai B'rith has provided over $100 million in cash, medical equipment, and supplies to victims of disasters worldwide since 1865; and

WHEREAS, B'nai B'rith is a strong and vocal advocate for the State of Israel and has had an active presence in Israel since 1888; and

WHEREAS, B'nai B'rith has an active presence as a NGO at the United Nations since its founding, and is the only Jewish NGO with full-time representation at the United Nations in New York and its agencies in Europe and Latin America; and

WHEREAS, B'nai B'rith is the largest national Jewish sponsor of federally-funded housing for seniors with limited income; the organization provides safe, comfortable, and affordable housing for seniors without regard for race, religion, and ethnicity and has an international network of senior living facilities; and

WHEREAS, B'nai B'rith is widely acclaimed as a forceful advocate for senior citizens with a special emphasis on protecting Social Security and Medicare and in supporting access to quality health care and funding for the aging services network and minimum wage; and

WHEREAS, B'nai B'rith has a long history of promoting cultural diversity, inclusion, and understanding, via grassroots education projects such as the Diverse Minds Writing Challenge, where high school students write and illustrate children's books, to help teach them the values of inclusion and diversity; and

WHEREAS, B'nai B'rith volunteers are active in their local communities, providing countless hours of service to projects to better the communities in which they live; and

WHEREAS, The past B'nai B'rith International President, Mr. Allan J. Jacobs, is a resident of Lake Forest; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Sheldon Marcus presently serves as Senior Vice President of B'nai B'rith International and is a resident of Morton Grove; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare October 13, 2018 as "B'nai B'rith Day" in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to B'nai B'rith International as a symbol of our respect and esteem.