HR0604 LRB099 12865 GRL 36697 r
1		HOUSE RESOLUTION
2		WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3		Representatives have learned, with deep sadness, of the deaths
4		on June 17, 2015 of the Rev. Senator Clementa C. Pinckney,
5		Cynthia Hurd, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lance, DePayne Middleton
6		Doctor, Tywanza Sanders, Daniel L. Simmons, Sr., Sharonda
7		Singleton, and Myra Thompson, the 9 people who were murdered
8		while engaged in a session of Christian Bible studies at the
9		Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston,
10		South Carolina; and
11		WHEREAS, These 9 community and church leaders are deeply
12		mourned by their families and friends; as a result of this
13		tragedy, their skills at work and life have become familiar to
14		their South Carolina neighbors and the people of the United
15		States; and
16		WHEREAS, As State legislators, we are especially aware of
17		the hard work and statesmanship of the late Rev. Senator
18		Clementa C. Pinckney, as he was a leader for his state on
19		lawmaking efforts concerning issues, such as body cameras for
20		police officers, which we know are exceptionally complex and
21		demand courageous, careful handling; and
22		WHEREAS, Events connected with this tragedy have raised

HR0604 - 2 - LRB099 12865 GRL 36697 r
1		questions about the so-called "Battle Flag of the Confederacy"
2		as a suitable element in public displays of honor; although
3		this flag was raised for reasons familiar to everyone, many
4		feel that this flag has become offensive and should no longer
5		be a symbol on state property; and
6		WHEREAS, A slightly different version of the "Battle Flag"
7		currently flies, by South Carolina statute, on the grounds of
8		the South Carolina State House in Columbia, South Carolina, as
9		an element of a monument honoring fallen South Carolina
10		soldiers; and
11		WHEREAS, The members of this body affirm the right and duty
12		of the people of South Carolina to pay tribute to the heritage
13		of their state, including the heritage of the American Civil
14		War; and
15		WHEREAS, At times like this we are reminded of the words of
16		Abraham Lincoln, who said that it is the work of all of us
17		"with malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness
18		in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on
19		to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's
20		wounds..."; and
21		WHEREAS, The members of this body suggest that the correct
22		flag for the people of South Carolina to fly when honoring

HR0604 - 3 - LRB099 12865 GRL 36697 r
1		their heritage is the flag of the United States of America;
2		South Carolina is one of the 13 original states and there is a
3		stripe and a star on this flag for them, and 13 stripes and 50
4		stars to stand for one united people; therefore, be it
5		RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
6		NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
7		call upon the South Carolina General Assembly to take statutory
8		action to remove any examples of the "Battle Flag of the
9		Confederacy" from the grounds of the South Carolina State
10		House, including the Confederate Monument; and be it further
11		RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
12		delivered to South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, Henry
13		McMaster, President of the South Carolina Senate, and Jay
14		Lucas, Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives.