HR0771 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0771 LRB097 20114 KXB 65493 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are proud to recognize individuals and organizations that have contributed to the welfare of the State of Illinois and its citizens or have distinguished themselves through significant personal achievement; and

WHEREAS, Michelle Obama is the first African-American first lady of the United States of America, standing by her husband, the first African-American President of the United States of America, while raising their 2 children, Malia and Sasha, and spearheading many national campaigns for important causes; and

WHEREAS, Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama was born January 17, 1964, in Chicago to Fraiser and Marian Robinson; Michelle skipped the second grade, was a gifted student and graduated from Whitney M. Young Magnet High School in Chicago's West Loop as class salutatorian; and

WHEREAS, Michelle Obama graduated from Princeton University cum laude in 1985 with a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in African-American studies and earned a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School in 1988, where she took part in demonstrations demanding more minority students and professors; and

WHEREAS, Michelle Obama worked as an associate in the Chicago branch of the law firm Sidley Austin in the area of marketing and intellectual property; in 1989, she met her future husband, Barack Obama, a summer intern whom she was assigned as an adviser; and the couple married at Trinity United Church of Christ on October 18, 1992; and

WHEREAS, After her husband became U.S. Senator from Illinois in 2004, Michelle Obama followed a strict schedule to be home with her children as often as possible, never leaving them for more than one night and 2 days per week; and

WHEREAS, Michelle Obama launched a career in public service, serving as an assistant to Mayor Daley and then as the assistant commissioner of planning and development for the City of Chicago; in 1993, she became Executive Director for the Chicago office of Public Allies, a non-profit leadership-training program that helped young adults develop skills for future careers in the public sector; in 1996, she joined the University of Chicago as associate dean of student services, developing the University's first community service program; she then worked for the University of Chicago Hospitals beginning in 2002, as executive director of community relations and external affairs; in May 2005, she was appointed vice president of community relations and external affairs at the University of Chicago Medical Center, where she continues to work part-time; she also manages the business diversity program and sits on 6 boards, including the prestigious Chicago Council on Global Affairs and the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools; and

WHEREAS, As the 45th First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama has focused her attention on issues such as the support of military families, helping working women balance career and family, encouraging national service, and teaching children healthy eating and healthy living habits; and, she has put her beliefs in action by volunteering at homeless shelters and soup kitchens in the Washington, D.C. area and making appearances at public schools, stressing the importance of education and volunteer work; and

WHEREAS, Michelle Obama's service and values serve as a model and inspiration for African-American girls; she leads by example for the benefit of all young Americans by finding a balance between advocacy, work, family, health, and both public and private life; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor the pioneering achievements of the 45th first lady and the first African-American first lady of the United States of America, Michelle Obama; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to First Lady Michelle Obama as a symbol of our esteem and respect.