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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION HONORING APRIL AS ARAB AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
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, many first settling in Illinois in the middle of the 19th Century and playing a significant role in the year long and successful Columbian World Exposition which was held in Chicago in 1893; and
WHEREAS, Arab Americans in Illinois are proud Americans who have served this country in the U.S. Military in every war since 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 businesses and work in a wide range of blue collar and white collar professions including as doctors, dentists, lawyers, engineers, journalists, public officials, grocery and retail store owners, union activists, and educators; and
WHEREAS, the Illinois General Assembly unanimously adopted a State Law in December 2018 designating the month of April as Arab American Heritage month, supporting 44 other states which have adopted annual Proclamations including in Arizona, California, Michigan, Virginia, Texas, Georgia, and Maryland, and Washington D.C.; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Members of the Cook County Board join in honoring the heritage and culture of Arab Americans, and further encourage all Cook County residents to celebrate the diversity of our great county on the 27th Day of April 2023.
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