title
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
CONGRATULATING THE CAMBODIAN ASSOCIATION OF ILLINOIS ON ITS 37TH ANNIVERSARY
WHEREAS, the Cambodian Association of Illinois (CAI) is a nonprofit social service organization founded in 1976 by a group of Cambodian refugee volunteers responding to the needs of Cambodians who were resettling in Cook County; and
WHEREAS, CAI serves approximately 5,000 Cambodians in Illinois, most of whom are Cambodian refugees or the children of refugees, by providing bilingual programming to address the interrelated social and economic needs of the Cambodian-American population; and
WHEREAS, the mission of CAI is to enable refugees and immigrants from Cambodia who now reside in Illinois to become self-sufficient, productive participants in American society, while also preserving and enhancing their cultural heritage and community; and
WHEREAS, CAI works tirelessly to remember and pay tribute to the millions lost from 1975 to 1979, when many innocent Cambodians were killed and buried by the Khmer Rouge regime in a travesty known as the Killing Fields; and
WHEREAS, CAI works to ensure that we remember those who were lost and those who will forever bear the scars from this atrocity, and to educate Cook County residents on the rich culture, history and contributions of the Cambodian-American community; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Cook County Board of Commissioners that the Cambodian Association of Illinois be congratulated for celebrating its 37th anniversary, and commended for showing an unwavering dedication to Cambodians who reside in Cook County.
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 same be tendered to the Cambodian Association of Illinois.
end