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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE 10th ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEDICATION OF THE STATUE OF MOHANDAS MAHATMA GANDHI IN HERITAGE PARK, SKOKIE
WHEREAS, on October 2, 1869 Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born in India. Gandhi is widely considered to be the founder of the nonviolence movement. Gandhi led India to independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. Mohandas Gandhi later became known as Mahatma Gandhi, a title of veneration meaning “high soul”; and
WHEREAS, annually October 2, is the day the world observes the great legacy of Mahatma Gandhi; a day known as the International Day of Nonviolence; and
WHEREAS, one decade ago the Gandhi Memorial Trust, an organization dedicated to furthering the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi established a memorial in Heritage Park in the Village of Skokie to honor Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy. Chairman of the Trust is Omprakash Kamaria and the Trustees are Satish Chander, Dr. Chandrakant Modi, Usha Kamaria,,Mira Chander,,Dina Modi and Dr. Sriram Sonty. Village officials estimated that nearly two thousand people attended the Oct. 2, 2004 dedication ceremony. On that day a hovering helicopter dropped hundreds of rose petals onto the celebration; and
WHEREAS, the life-size statue was recently the site of a community-wide 10th anniversary celebration and peace rally, attended by hundreds and was in part sponsored by the Consulate General of India, Chicago. The anniversary celebrated not just the memory and values of Mahatma Gandhi but the diversity of the community that embraced his values and established and continues to maintain the memorial; a statue that has become widely viewed as an icon to world peace; 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 takes great pleasure in honoring and celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the installation of the statue memorializing the life of Mahatma Gandhi and herewith honors the progress and impact Mahatma Gandhi’s work has had in bettering the lives of the citizens of Cook County, Illinois; 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 Gandhi Memorial Trust.end