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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION OF THE COOK COUNTY BOARD, CELEBRATING AND HONORING COOK COUNTY NATIVE CHE "RHYMEFEST" SMITH AND HIS CONTRIBUTION TO THE AWARD-WINNING SONG "GLORY"
WHEREAS, "Glory," a song authored by John Legend, Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr.-better known by his stage name, "Common"- and Chicago's own Che "Rhymefest" Smith, is included on the soundtrack to the movie Selma; and,
WHEREAS, Selma, directed by Ava DuVernay, is a movie acclaimed for its portrayal of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery Marches undertaken by Civil Rights Activists including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., John Lewis, Amelia Boynton, James Bevel, and many others in advocacy of Voting Rights; and,
WHEREAS, the Selma to Montgomery Marches were a seminal moment in the history of the United States and the African American Civil Rights movement, which helped bring about the enactment of the Federal Voting Rights Act in 1965 that was signed into law by President Lyndon Baines Johnson; and,
WHEREAS, the song, "Glory" beautifully represents both the historical events depicted in the movie Selma as well as the relevance of this history to the struggle for equality that continues to this day in the United States of America; and,
WHEREAS, the song, "Glory" has been recognized as an outstanding artistic achievement, winning this year's Golden Globe Award for Best Song, and also earning a Best Song nomination at the upcoming Academy Awards; and,
WHEREAS, Che "Rhymefest" Smith's contribution to the song "Glory" as one of its composers is just the latest in a series of notable achievements for this proud son of Cook County and the South Side of Chicago; and,
WHEREAS, Che "Rhymefest" Smith is a notable musician, lyricist, hip hop artist and activist who has garnered numerous accolades worldwide, including winning a Grammy award in 2005; and,
WHEREAS, the social contributions of Che "Rhymefest" Smith range far beyond the realm of music, including:
- Working with U.S. Representatives Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas, John Conyers of Michigan and Hank Johnson of Georgia to advocate for House Resolution 848, also known as "The Performance Rights Act";
- Meeting with future Prime Minister of Great Britain David Cameron in 2006 on the issues of poverty, violence, and the cultural role of hip hop music; and,
- Hosting the radio show "Speak Up" on WVON 1690 AM; and,
WHEREAS, Che "Rhymefest" Smith's work on "Glory" and his commitment to free expression and activism embody the very best of Cook County;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the President of Cook County and the Cook County Board of Commissioners that we honor and celebrate Che "Rhymefest" Smith, and congratulate him for the well-deserved recognition he and his fellow composers have received for the song "Glory."
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Cook County Clerk provide a copy of this resolution to Che "Rhymefest" Smith, in recognition of this achievement.
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