State of Illinois Pillars of Excellence 2017

HOUSE RESOLUTION

    WHEREAS, Community Development Sustainable Solutions's

Stephanie Bush, Terrance Taylor, Tracy Johnson, and Shamika

Croom continue their Peace Initiative Summers; this year, they

are joined by the Emerson Park Development Corporation's Bill

Spencer and Vicky Forbe; June 19, 1865, "Juneteenth", is a

momentous day in American history; "To Awaken the Spirit of

Freedom and Hope for a New Beginning" on this fateful date, we

stand in remembrance, gratitude, honor, and unity; we answer

the "Call for Change"; and 

    WHEREAS, Community Development Sustainable Solutions

(CDSS) is a non-profit grassroots social advocacy community and

economic development agency of community organizers, human

service agents, and social justice agents committed to

advancing economic growth in surrounding communities; CDSS's

mission remains true to its original goals: making a positive

impact by creating and implementing sustainable solutions we

can all live with; and 

    WHEREAS, Community Development Sustainable Solutions

advocates for the voice and the spirit of the community; on

June 19, the CDSS, along with the communities of East St.

Louis, Cahokia, and Washington Park, proclaimed Juneteenth an

"American independence holiday"; June 19th is the true African

American Independence Day, not July 4th; this is the first step

towards raising awareness and understanding the national

legacy and journey of African Americans; and 

    WHEREAS, In 2017, Community Development Sustainable

Solutions celebrated Juneteenth - East St. Louis by bringing

surrounding communities together in unity; and 

    WHEREAS, Community Development Sustainable Solutions

remains true to its vision and mission towards equitable and

sustainable solutions to end systemic racism and crime via

community and economic development efforts that civically

engage; therefore, be it 

    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE

HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we

recognize the advocacy of Community Development Sustainable

Solutions and declare Stephanie Bush, Terrance Taylor, Tracy

Johnson, and Shamika Croom to be "pillars of excellence" within

their community; and be it further 

    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be

presented to Stephanie Bush, Terrance Taylor, Tracy Johnson,

and Shamika Croom as a symbol of our respect and esteem.