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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RECOGNIZING SGI YOUTHFUL SUCCESSORS DAY
WHEREAS, 1,200 youth from 25 states, including Illinois and Cook County participated in the “Heartland of America: Roaring Lions of Justice and Victory” gathering in Chicago on October 15, 2017, at Hyatt McCormick Place; and
WHEREAS, this gathering marked the 10th anniversary of the establishment of SGI-USA’s Central Territory, and the 57th Anniversary of SGI President Daisaku Ikeda’s historic first visit to Chicago on October 9, 1960; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Ikeda has worked tirelessly to instill in young people a sense of responsibility for global and social issues, with the goal of fostering future generations of youth committed to working for peace and justice; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Ikeda serves as a living example of concern, compassion and taking responsibility for humanity through his efforts as a pioneering, citizen-diplomat; as a promoter of peace and his annual submission of Peace Proposals to the United Nations; as a Buddhist scholar and author of more than 150 books; and as the founder of peace, culture and education institutions in the United States, Latin America, Europe and Japan; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Ikeda’s efforts have resulted in his being the recipient of numerous acknowledgments of his peace work, including the United Nations Peace Award; the International Tolerance Award from the Simon Wiesenthal Center, and the Rosa Parks Humanitarian Award; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Ikeda has been the recipient of more than 300 honorary degrees and honorary professorships, including from DePaul University, and more than 700 honorary citizenships from communities around the world; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Ikeda’s work has served as the inspiration and motivation for several initiatives, including the youth-created, peer education program, Victory Over Violence; a nuclear abolition campaign that gathered and presented 13 million signatures to the UN; and the collection and publication of individual wartime experiences, as a reminder of the truth of his words: “True and lasting peace will only be realized by forging life-to-life bonds of trust and friendship among the world's people. Human solidarity is built by opening our hearts to each other. This is the power of dialogue.”; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Ikeda’s efforts also led to the international expansion of the Soka Gakkai’s peace movement, which has grown to more than 12 million members in 192 countries and territories, including Cook County in the State of Illinois; and
WHEREAS, on Sunday, October 15, 2017, 1,200 youth vowed to carry forward the work of Dr. Ikeda to build a culture of peace and a society that honors and respects the equality and dignity of all humanity; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Toni Preckwinkle, as President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, and on behalf of the residents of Cook County, hereby declare October 15, 2017 as SGI YOUTHFUL SUCCESSORS DAY.end