HR0221

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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The Illinois Board of Higher Education's reports 
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on college and university enrollment indicate an alarming 
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scarcity of male students of African American descent currently 
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enrolled and pursuing post-secondary education; and

 
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    WHEREAS, This scarcity makes African American males, far 
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and away, the least represented demographic group on college 
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and university campuses, both in number and in percentage of 
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total Illinois population; and

 
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    WHEREAS, It is widely recognized that the attainment of 
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post-secondary education is a clear indicator of increased 
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earning potential and employment stability, and of decreased 
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likelihood of criminal activity and incarceration; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Several organizations and institutions, which 
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include the Illinois Committee on Black Concerns in Higher 
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Education, Chicago State University, the University of 
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Illinois at Chicago, the Chicago Urban League, the City 
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Colleges of Chicago, the Chicago Public Schools, the Brother 2 
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Brother Program of the South Metropolitan Regional Education 
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Consortium, the Illinois Task Force on the Condition of the 
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African American Male, and Macy's Department Stores, have 
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formed a working coalition to examine and promote increased 
 


 






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support of African American males in higher education; and

 
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    WHEREAS, This coalition has planned several events and 
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activities during the month of April 2009 to study the factors 
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contributing to low participation and success of African 
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American males in higher education and provide resources to 
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improve the success and persistence of current African American 
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male students; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The Illinois House of Representatives recognizes 
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the importance of increasing the success and persistence of 
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African American male students to the entire State of Illinois, 
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particularly to the State's welfare and economy; therefore, be 
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it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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designate the month of April 2009 as the Month of the African 
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American Male in Illinois Higher Education in the State of 
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Illinois; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That we congratulate the above mentioned 
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coalition for its efforts in raising the public's awareness of 
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lower than acceptable enrollment and success rates for African 
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American males on college and university campuses, for 
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examining potential barriers to African American male student 
 


 






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success, for exploring the best practices for increasing 
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African American male success and participation, and for 
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providing resources and support to currently enrolled African 
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American male students.