HR0285 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0285 LRB102 18344 ECR 26136 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate the Southeastern Illinois College speech team, the Forensic Falcons, on their first-place team overall victory at the Phi Rho Pi Nationals on April 11, 2021; and

WHEREAS, The Southeastern Illinois College Forensic Falcons' first-place finish in the Phi Rho Pi Nationals open division is the third in the team's 51-year history and the first since 2005; and

WHEREAS, The Southeastern Illinois College Forensic Falcons also took first place in the International Forensics Association's 2021 International Tournament; they are only the 2nd community college to do so in the tournament's 35 year history; and

WHEREAS, The 2021 Phi Rho Pi national tournament marks the end of the Forensic Falcons' undefeated season, which also included state, regional, and international titles; and

WHEREAS, The Southeastern Illinois College Forensic Falcons have a long history of success and have consistently finished in the top 5 nationally for nearly 40 years; and

WHEREAS, The Southeastern Illinois College Forensic Falcons have never been defeated by another Illinois community college in national competition for over 20 years; and

WHEREAS, The Southeastern Illinois College speech program has been consistently ranked a top 50 program nationally for both two-year and four-year programs; and

WHEREAS, Sophomore Shainna Ralston earned the Bovero-Tabor award as the top speaker in the nation, becoming the third student from SIC to bring home top honors; and

WHEREAS, The Southeastern Illinois Forensic Falcons are Shainna Ralston, Bradlee Frailey, Addie Hanks, Addie Mays, Haley Rice, Tiffany Turner, Nick Triplett, Kale Rister, Collin Sexton, Hunter Rechsteiner, and Javen Wendler; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Southeastern Illinois College speech team, the Forensic Falcons, on their victory at Phi Rho Pi Nationals, and we commend their hard work, dedication, and team spirit; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Coach Jenny Billman, Coach John Corum, Coach Paul Cummins, and Southeastern Illinois College President Jonah Rice as a symbol of our respect and esteem.