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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE ABOLITION INSTITUTE
WHEREAS, The Abolition Institute is a group formed in 2013 to end slavery in Mauritania, West Africa - a nation where race and descent based slavery is still widespread and where enslaved people face abuses similar to those experienced by slaves in our own country prior to the Civil War; and
WHEREAS, The Abolition Institute, based in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood, draws inspiration from abolitionists from Illinois who risked their lives to fight slavery and made our state known throughout the world as a beacon of freedom; and
WHEREAS, The Abolition Institute has worked in partnership with U.S. Senator Richard J. Durbin and members of Congress from both parties to direct more than 5 million dollars towards efforts to address slavery and its legacy in Mauritania and its region; and
WHEREAS, The Abolition Institute has been profiled by media outlets throughout the world, including CNN, for its dedication to keeping the spirit of abolition alive in the 21st century; and
WHEREAS, this work is more important than ever given that an estimated 40 million people are still enslaved in the world today; and
WHEREAS, on February 9, 2018 at the DuSable Museum of African-American History, The Abolition Institute will commemorate its fifth anniversary fighting modern day slavery; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and the Cook County Board of Commissioners, on behalf of the residents of Cook County, recognizes The Abolition Institute for its work and essential contribution to the health and viability of Cook County; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this text be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body, and an official copy of same be presented to The Abolition Institute.
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