HJ0018 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0018 LRB097 10577 HEP 50931 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Interstate 57 is a major thoroughfare that runs through the a large portion of the City of Chicago and the outlying suburbs, as well as through the State of Illinois, tracing the route of the former Illinois Central railroad line; and

WHEREAS, The Tuskegee Airmen were dedicated, determined young men who enlisted to become America's first black military airmen; and

WHEREAS, Each of the men possessed a strong personal desire to serve the United States with the best of his ability; and

WHEREAS, After the end of World War II, black airmen returned to the United States and once again faced racism and hatred, despite their outstanding service record; and

WHEREAS, These brave men deserve to be recognized by the State of Illinois for their service to their country during wartime; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that the section of Interstate 57 between Exit 339 at Sauk Trail Road, and Exit 353 at 127th Street and Burr Oak Avenue, be renamed the Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Transportation is requested to erect at suitable locations, consistent with State and federal regulations, appropriate plaques or signs giving notice of the name of the Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation.