Bill Text: IL HJR0013 | 2009-2010 | 96th General Assembly | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Creates the Illinois Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission to commemorate the 100th birthday of the visionary former President.

Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Republican 19-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-12-01 - Rule 19(b) / Re-referred to Rules Committee [HJR0013 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2009-HJR0013-Introduced.html

---

HJ0013 LRB096 03999 GRL 14036 r
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, President Ronald Wilson Reagan, a man of humble
background, worked throughout his life serving freedom and
advancing the public good, having been employed as an
entertainer, union leader, corporate spokesman, Governor of
California, and President of the United States; and
WHEREAS, Ronald Reagan was born on February 6, 1911 in
Tampico; he lived in many locations throughout Illinois,
including his boyhood home in Dixon; he attended Eureka College
in Eureka, graduating in 1932, and is a true son of Illinois;
and
WHEREAS, Ronald Reagan served with honor and distinction
for two terms as the 40th President of the United States of
America, the second of which he earned the confidence of
three-fifths of the electorate and was victorious in 49 of the
50 states in the general election, a record that is unsurpassed
in the history of American presidential elections; and
WHEREAS, During Mr. Reagan's presidency, he worked in a
bipartisan manner to enact his bold agenda of restoring
accountability and common sense to government, which led to an
unprecedented economic expansion and opportunity for millions
of Americans; and

HJ0013 - 2 - LRB096 03999 GRL 14036 r
WHEREAS, President Reagan's commitment to our armed forces
contributed to the restoration of pride in America, her values
and those cherished by the free world, and prepared America's
Armed Forces to meet 21st century challenges; and
WHEREAS, President Reagan's vision of "peace through
strength" helped lead to the end of the Cold War and the
ultimate demise of the Soviet Union, guaranteeing basic human
rights for millions of people; and
WHEREAS, The City of Dixon, Ronald Reagan's boyhood home,
has established a 15-person Centennial Commission in order to
plan the City's celebration of the 100th birthday of this
dynamic and visionary leader in the year 2011; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE
SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that there is created the Illinois
Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission consisting of 10 members
appointed as follows: 2 members of the House appointed by the
Speaker of the House, 2 members of the House appointed by the
Minority Leader of the House, 2 members of the Senate appointed
by the President of the Senate, 2 members of the Senate
appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate, the President
of Eureka College or his designee, and (ex-officio) the Mayor

HJ0013 - 3 - LRB096 03999 GRL 14036 r
of the City of Dixon, all of whom shall serve without
compensation but shall be reimbursed for their reasonable and
necessary expenses from funds appropriated for that purpose;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Commission shall select a chairperson
from among its members; the Commission shall meet as frequently
as necessary, at the call of the chairperson; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Commission shall do the following:
(1) elevate the centennial of Ronald Reagan's birth to
a high profile bipartisan event;
(2) recognize Ronald Reagan as the only United States
President born and raised in the State of Illinois;
(3) stimulate and encourage the creation and growth of
programs about Ronald Reagan;
(4) highlight and publicize the institutions in the
State that are connected to Ronald Reagan and their impact
on his life;
(5) work with and coordinate statewide organizations
and groups commemorating Ronald Reagan's 100th birthday;
and
(6) encourage communities and citizens to support and
get involved in the commemoration; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Commission shall work with other state

HJ0013 - 4 - LRB096 03999 GRL 14036 r
Reagan Memorial Commissions and the national Commission in
developing a nationwide plan for the celebration of President
Reagan's 100th birthday in 2011, including work with Illinois
school districts on appropriate ceremonies to mark the
successful conclusion of the Cold War and President Reagan's
service to the United States; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Commission shall receive staff support
from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Commission report to the Governor and
the General Assembly on or before December 31, 2009.