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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE HERITAGE AND CULTURE OF ARAB AMERICANS AND DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF APRIL AS ARAB AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH IN COOK COUNTY
WHEREAS, the State of Illinois has more than 450,000 citizens who are of Arab heritage, originating primarily from Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Yemen and 15 other Arab World countries, with the largest concentration living in Cook County; and
WHEREAS, Arab Americans in Illinois, who are both Christian and Muslim, first settled in Illinois in the middle of the 19th Century, playing a significant role in the yearlong and successful Columbian World Exposition held in Chicago in 1893; and
WHEREAS, Arab Americans in Illinois have played significant roles in American life including serving in every war including the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; and
WHEREAS, Arab Americans in Illinois are proud citizens who pay their taxes, manage successful business and work in a wide range of blue collar and white collar professions including doctors, dentists, lawyers, engineers, journalists, public officials, grocery store and retail store owners, union activists and educators and teachers; and
WHEREAS, the Illinois General Assembly adopted a State Law in December 2018 votING unanimously to designate the month of April as Arab American Heritage month, joining seven other states including Arizona, California, Michigan, Virginia, Texas, Georgia, and Maryland, and also Washington D.C.; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board joins in honoring the heritage and culture of Arab Americans, and designates the month of April as Arab American Heritage Month in Cook County; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board further encourages all of its residents to celebrate the diversity of this great county and that the text of this resolution be spread across the journal of proceedings of this honorable ...
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