HR1334 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1334 LRB100 24271 MST 43521 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to honor our esteemed colleague, State Representative Cynthia Soto, on her 17 years as a member of the Illinois General Assembly and thank her for her dedicated service to our State and her community; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Soto grew up in Chicago's West Town neighborhood, where she raised her three daughters with her husband, David, and is now a grandmother of four; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Soto began her career in public service as a clerk in the Cook County State's Attorney's Office soon after graduating from Harper College; and

WHEREAS, During her time in office, Rep. Soto worked to expand access to health care for children by supporting the creation of the All Kids insurance program which provides working families with comprehensive, affordable, health insurance for their children, regardless of a child's immigration status or health condition; to date, there are over 1.6 million Illinois children enrolled in All Kids, providing hardworking families who cannot afford private health insurance access to the care their children need; and

WHEREAS, As a member of the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus and a past co-chair, Rep. Soto championed efforts to lift up and protect Illinois' vibrant immigrant communities by supporting the Illinois DREAM Act, which ensured that the sons and daughters of immigrants would be able to go college in this State, and the Illinois TRUST Act, which prohibited immigration officials from entering public schools, hospitals, churches, and other places where all Illinois residents should feel safe; and

WHEREAS, Multiple times while in office, Rep. Soto worked to ensure every Illinois resident was paid a living wage by supporting legislation to raise the minimum wage, which led to a boost in incomes, reduced income inequality, increased consumer spending, economic growth, and a decreased need for government assistance programs; and

WHEREAS, All who had the honor to serve with Rep. Soto will miss her kindness, sincerity, unwavering commitment to her family, and most notably her ability to lift your mood with a simple and joyful greeting of "Hola amigo!"; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate and honor State Representative Cynthia Soto for her dedicated service as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Rep. Soto as an expression of our respect, esteem, and best wishes in her future endeavors.