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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives are pleased to recognize SYESA (Struggling 
4Youth Equals Successful Adults)
and its founders, Michael 
5Simelton, Tony Lawlor, and Antwan Turpeau, on being the first 
6non-profit youth organization in the State of Illinois to be 
7founded by 3 former foster youths; and
  
 
8    WHEREAS, The 3 men spent over 10 years of their lives as 
9wards of the State of Illinois; they all had multiple different 
10types of placements, attended multiple grammar and high 
11schools, and dealt with various other struggles; and
  
 
12    WHEREAS, Michael has a Master's Degree in Engineering and a 
13successful career with the Exelon Corporation; he is currently 
14the chairman of SYESA's Board; and
  
 
15    WHEREAS, Tony earned a IDCFS scholarship while he was in 
16care and used that scholarship to graduate from the University 
17of Illinois; he went on to have a successful career in the 
18jewelry business; he has earned national certification in youth 
19development; and
  
 
20    WHEREAS, Antwan has a Master's Degree in Social Work with a 
21specialization in Leadership and Development in Social 
 
 
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1Services from Loyola University of Chicago; he has 10 years of 
2experience working with youth in psychiatric settings and in 
3the community; and he  has also managed State contracts for 5 
4years; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, SYESA was founded on June 22, 2009; SYESA is a 
6youth organization whose primary focus is giving youth and 
7young adults the tools, connections, resources, and motivation 
8they need to overcome the past obstacles in their life and to 
9succeed in life; the organization believes that if foster 
10children can overcome their life struggle, and are provided 
11with proper skills, they will be able to be great leaders in 
12their communities; therefore, be it
  
 
13    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
14NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
15we recognize Michael Simelton, Tony Lawlor, and Antwan Turpeau 
16for their work with SYESA; and be it further
  
 
17    RESOLVED, That a suitable copies of this resolution be 
18presented to Michael Simelton, Tony Lawlor, and Antwan Turpeau 
19as symbols of our respect and esteem.