HJ0090 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0090 LRB102 27125 MST 38579 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is a state rich in culture and ethnic diversity and is home to people of every national origin, including a significant number of Ghanaians; and

WHEREAS, The City of Accra is a prominent African city, rich in tradition, the homeland of many Illinois residents, the capital of Ghana, and the first African nation to gain independence from colonial rule; and

WHEREAS, The City of Accra hosted the All African Peoples Conference in 1958, which proclaimed that colonialism, racism, and imperialism must cease and Africa should be free; it also hosted the 1964 Organization of African Unity Conference, which debated the necessity of a Continental Union Government for the whole continent of Africa; and

WHEREAS, The City of Chicago and the City of Accra were officially acknowledged by the Chicago City Council as Sister Cities on June 28, 1989; and

WHEREAS, It is fitting that the rich relationship between the City of Chicago and the City of Accra be expanded to the entire State of Illinois in order to enhance the exchange of ideas and promote further goodwill, harmony, commerce, and mutual development; and

WHEREAS, In order to further explore the mutual benefits to the State of Illinois, the Illinois General Assembly and members of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus seek to engage with the City of Accra, Ghana for the reciprocal benefit of strengthening relations and exchanges involving the identification of opportunities for economic development, education policy, judicial policy, environmental policy, and the improvement of health and human services for African Americans and African citizens in the country of Ghana; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we seek to initiate a delegation from among the members of the Illinois General Assembly and of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus to visit the City of Accra, Ghana for the purpose of acknowledging and expanding the mutually beneficial relationship between the State of Illinois and Ghana; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the purpose of this delegation would be to exchange knowledge, expertise, and good relations with the City of Accra's Social Welfare & Community Development Department, Metro Public Health Department, Department of Education, Legal Department, Food & Agriculture Department, Urban Roads Department, and Waste Management Department; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the State of Illinois and the City of Accra, on the basis of friendly cooperation, equality, and mutual benefit, are encouraged to promote and broaden economic cooperation and trade relations between the two bodies and carry out exchanges in fields such as science and technology, culture and education, sports and health, and others to promote their prosperity and contribute towards further developing friendly relations between the people of the two countries; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we hereby declare, on behalf of the citizens of Illinois, our esteem and friendship to the City of Accra, Ghana and its citizens and express a request for an invitation from the parliament of Ghana for an official visit, December 10-20, 2022; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the State of Illinois promises its continued goodwill and cooperation with Accra; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be delivered to the Honorable Elizabeth Sackey, Mayor of Accra, Ghana, for presentation to the governing body of Accra as a token of our esteem and a request for a official invitation from the parliament of Ghana for a visit from a delegation of members from the Illinois General Assembly and from the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus.