Resolution
1954 Decision |
ILLINOIS 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY |
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 40 2003 Bill Text IL S.J.R. 40 Adopted: November 21, 2003 |
WHEREAS, Quality education is essential to an informed citizenry, the foundation of our democratic society; and WHEREAS, Access to quality education is the gateway to opportunity, our nation's promise to all; and WHEREAS, Quality education provided in a universal setting enriches the learning experience; and WHEREAS, Quality education for every citizen regardless of race, religion, ethnic background, or economic circumstance is a fundamental goal under our form of government; and WHEREAS, On May 17, 1954, in a historic and unanimous decision, the United States Supreme Court, in Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954), ruled that public education is subject to the equal protection provisions of the United States Constitution; and WHEREAS, The Court based its decision as well on the premise that to separate children according to their race was unfair, diminishing their hopes and their futures; and WHEREAS, That decision of May 17, 1954 was the culmination of 58 years of effort by a vast number of persons, organizations, and institutions and of the largely unknown and unheralded efforts of countless early Americans and their descendants aimed at achieving equal justice under the law; and WHEREAS, The Court's pronouncement in Brown v. Board of Education validated those remarkable actions and their underlying premise that change in our country is achieved though peaceful, lawful means; and WHEREAS, That participants from all walks of life joined in pursuit of this goal emphasizes that Americans, standing together, can effect great and positive change under the law; and WHEREAS, That decision has had a profound, significant, and beneficial impact on all aspects of life in the United States; and WHEREAS, The significant contributions of citizens of this State were essential to the ultimate success of that 58-year effort; and WHEREAS, Those contributions made through lawful and peaceful means stand as worthy models of the benefit of public education and good citizenship; and WHEREAS, The benefits to this State are everywhere to be seen in the contributions by Illinois citizens not only in education but in government, the arts, business, and other civic undertakings; and WHEREAS, The 50th Anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education decision affords an opportunity for the citizens of this State to celebrate and commemorate our own success in providing quality public education and recognize the fruits of that success; and WHEREAS, May 17, 2004 is the 50th anniversary of this historic event; therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that the Illinois Commission on the 50th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education is created; and be it further RESOLVED, That the members of the Commission shall include the President of the Senate or his or her designee and the Speaker of the House of Representatives or his or her designee, each serving as co-chairpersons, the Governor or his or her designee, one vice-chairperson appointed by each of the co-chairpersons, and 25 appointed members, with the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Minority Leader of the Senate, and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives appointing 5 members each; and be it further RESOLVED, That the appointed members shall be from diverse backgrounds so as to reflect the diverse citizenry of Illinois working together for a common democratic cause, and that their individual qualifications shall include varying educational, professional, and civic experiences that bring different perspectives and cooperative outlooks to the Commission; and be it further RESOLVED, That the purpose of the Commission is (i) to further a statewide appreciation for the advancement of democratic principles through our system of law and justice using the unanimous 1954 Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education as a touchstone and (ii) to inspire all of our citizens, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, religion, or economic status, to appreciate the value of education and public service as a means to further the objects of democracy; and be it further RESOLVED, That the Commission shall have the following stated objectives: (i) to identify human and documentary resources, generally available, for use by educational, civic, social, and other organizations and institutions such that the Commission may effectively share in the spread of democratic principles as part of the Commission's ongoing activities in 2004; (ii) to encourage direct participation through essays, creative arts, lectures, original research and writing, community projects, and other activities to foster personal commitment to democracy; (iii) to provide adoptable program models for local use statewide; and (iv) to mark the anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education with an appropriate ceremony; and be it further RESOLVED, That the Commission shall, while working in coordination with and with the assistance of Chicago State University and Southern Illinois University at Carbondale's Public Policy Institute, broaden outreach by using established channels, including publicly supported media and electronic, computer-assisted communication systems, and elicit voluntary assistance from educational, legal, civic, and professional organizations and institutions as well as notable individuals; and be it further RESOLVED, That no later than June 30, 2005, the Commission shall report to the General Assembly and the Governor on its activities and accomplishments, and that the Commission shall be dissolved after the filing of this report; and be it further RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be delivered to the Governor of the State of Illinois.
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Illinois Commission on the 50th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education Contact: Executive Director Ollie McLemore |