SJ0054 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0054 LRB097 20445 GRL 65945 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois General Assembly wish to honor the great work of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for his contributions for bringing justice and equality to millions of Americans; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. deserves to be recognized more significantly for his work in urban America; and

WHEREAS, Many places in Illinois have street signs, public buildings, and statues that honor Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his work; and

WHEREAS, A street in Chicago known as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive runs from 26th Street in the north to 115th Street in the south; and

WHEREAS, The Far Southside communities recognized as Rosemoor and Roseland Heights have, within its boundaries, the only public bridge along the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive corridor; and

WHEREAS, On August 27, 2011, the public and its elected officials assembled to recognize the importance of this day marking the anniversary of the March on Washington (1963) and the National Democratic Nomination of U.S. Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States (2008); and

WHEREAS, In August of 2011, The City of Chicago recognized by letter the significant importance of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and supported community recommendations to dedicate the State Bridge located at 99th and 100th Streets and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive as a Memorial Bridge; and

WHEREAS, In 2011, the public raised a significant amount of money to build a statue of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the Washington Mall; the public also held a historical event on October 16, 2011; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate the bridge located at 99th and 100th Streets and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Rosemoor and Roseland Heights as the "Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Bridge"; 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 "Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Bridge"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Chicago City Council.