HR0862 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0862 LRB100 20970 ALS 36591 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize Juan M. Calderon for his transformative and visionary work in the City of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, At a young age, Juan Calderon became the Chief Operating Officer of the Puerto Rican Culture Center, and in a few short years, tripled the agency's size and scope, which contributed to the provision of crucial services to the people of Humboldt Park/West Town; and

WHEREAS, Juan Calderon currently serves as Chief Operating Officer of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center, where he employs best practices and new models of care for youth, LGBTQ, and seniors living with HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and mental illness; his recent accomplishments include the establishment of a transnational partnership with Cuba's National Center of Sex Education and TransCuba; his efforts have been recognized by La Voz del Paseo Boricua's "Top 10 Under 30", Windy City Times's "30 Under 30", DOFFA Chicago, and IVI-IPO Gay & Lesbian Caucus-Glynn Sudberry; and

WHEREAS, Juan Calderon, who has experienced homelessness himself, took the lead on the issue of LGBTQ homelessness in Chicago and created the Midwest's first permanent housing shelter for homeless LGBTQ youth; and

WHEREAS, Juan Calderon sits on the Board of Directors and serves as the treasurer of the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture; he is also a board member at the Low Income Housing Trust Fund, secretary of the Richard Yates Local School Council, a member of the Stowe Elementary Local School Council, a member of the Board of Directors for the Advocate Bethany Community Health Fund, a governor-appointed member of the Illinois Human Services Commission and the Illinois Advisory Council on Youth HIV/AIDS Prevention, and chairperson of the TransChicago non-profit initiative; and

WHEREAS, Juan Calderon is recognized and celebrated for his tireless pursuit of the elimination of health disparities in his community, and thus was the first openly gay man to be appointed to and serve on the Chicago Board of Health; and

WHEREAS, Juan Calderon has demonstrated through his work, his integrity, and his courage an unyielding determination to improve the lives of the most marginalized individuals in his community; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that, on behalf of his beloved community and our great State, we recognize the critical work and advocacy of Juan M. Calderon, and we wish him continued success; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Juan Calderon as an expression of our esteem and respect.