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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RECOGNIZING THE CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE COLOMBIAN COMMUNITY IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
WHEREAS, July 20 is recognized as Colombia’s Independence Day, a celebratory day for Colombians and Colombian-Americans in the diaspora; and
WHEREAS, Cook County is home to many in the Colombian diaspora, with some of the first Colombian residents arriving in Cook County in the 1950s; and
WHEREAS, since the 1950s, the Colombian population in Illinois has grown from 3,500 in 1970 to over 100,000 Colombians representing regions across Colombia and spanning various neighborhoods in the state of Illinois; and
WHEREAS, on February 28, 2009, the city of Chicago, a Cook County municipality, signed a sister city agreement with Bogotá, Colombia, to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation through citizen diplomacy; and
WHEREAS, Colombian culture and influence can be seen and heard throughout Cook County through its many small businesses, artists, and cultural organizations; and
WHEREAS, longstanding notable local Colombians and Colombian institutions in Cook County include Guilibaldo Criollo, founder of Tierra Colombiana Dance, Colombianos Unidos Para Una Labor Activa, Orietta Montropez, founder of Colectivo Folclórico Y Cultural: Raíces de mi Tierra, and the Ortega Brothers, organizers of the annual Gran Festival Colombiano; and
WHEREAS, emerging Colombian entrepreneurs continue to share the richness of Colombian culture with a twist throughout Cook County, such as Cynthia Orobio, co-owner of Polombia, Juan and Nathalie Betancourt, co-owners of ArePA George, and the Acebedo family’s independently owned Magnífico Coffee Roasters & Coffee Shop; and
WHEREAS, a new generation of Colombian creatives across Cook County are building community through the arts, such Pablo Alejandro, artist and designer for Palpable and owner of PSA Chicago, a community center for creatives, and the Más +57 Collective, which includes Samir J. Ghazaleh, creator of Estilombia, DJ and cultural curator Lilia “Escobae” Escobar, visual artist and MC IIIMPULSIVEEE, and Elsa Mejia, Evita Ortega and Zofia Ortega, founders of The Medium Productions; and
WHEREAS, many Colombian Americans work for and contribute to Cook County's municipalities and our neighborhoods every day, enhancing our social and cultural fabric; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Board recognizes the cultural importance and history surrounding the observance of Colombia’s Independence and joins the Colombian community across Illinois in celebrating Colombia’s 215th Independence Day; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of Cook County, on behalf of the 5.2 million residents of Cook County, expresses its appreciation for the vibrancy, tenacity, and contributions of the Colombian community and wishes all who observe this holiday a happy and safe celebration; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and that an official copy of the same be tendered to the Colombian Consulate in Chicago and Gustavo Petro, President of the Republic of Colombia.
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