Bill Text: IL HR0992 | 2025-2026 | 104th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commends the Iota Upsilon Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. for their outstanding dedication to water safety education and drowning prevention and for their meaningful honoring of the life and legacy of James Leslie Harkins. Honors the memory of James Leslie Harkins, whose legacy lives on through every child empowered with the knowledge and skills to stay safe in and around water; and be it further.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2026-07-10 - Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Maurice A. West, II [HR0992 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2025-HR0992-Introduced.html

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HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. is committed to
enhancing the quality of life within every community through
impactful public service, leadership development,
comprehensive education, and steadfast advocacy; and
WHEREAS, The dedicated members of the Iota Upsilon Sigma
Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., located in DeKalb
and Rockford, actively promote critical water safety awareness
and work tirelessly to reduce the risk of drowning through
their exemplary initiative, the Swim 1922 program; and
WHEREAS, The Iota Upsilon Sigma Chapter established its
annual Swim 1922 Water Safety Clinic at the Harkins Aquatic
Pool in Rockford to honor the memory of James Leslie Harkins,
who tragically passed through a drowning incident, and to
transform his heartbreaking loss into a lasting legacy of
education, prevention, and hope; and
WHEREAS, The untimely loss of James Leslie Harkins serves
as a solemn, enduring reminder of the paramount importance of
comprehensive water safety education, formal swimming
instruction, and proactive community awareness to prevent
future tragedies; and

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WHEREAS, Through the vital work of the Swim 1922 Water
Safety Clinic, hundreds of children and families have been
empowered with life-saving swimming skills, critical
resources, and foundational water safety instruction; and
WHEREAS, The memory of James Leslie Harkins continues to
serve as a powerful catalyst, inspiring community leaders,
volunteers, and organizational partners to collaborate
seamlessly to ensure that all youth have equitable access to
drowning prevention resources; and
WHEREAS, On July 11, 2026, the Iota Upsilon Sigma Chapter
of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. will officially dedicate its
2026 Swim 1922 Water Safety Clinic to the memory of James
Leslie Harkins, ensuring his legacy continues to safeguard the
youth of the Rockford community; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we commend the Iota Upsilon Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho
Sorority, Inc. for their outstanding dedication to water
safety education and drowning prevention and for their
meaningful honoring of the life and legacy of James Leslie
Harkins; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we honor the memory of James Leslie

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Harkins, whose legacy lives on through every child empowered
with the knowledge and skills to stay safe in and around water;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
presented to the Harkins Family as an expression of our
deepest sympathy and to the Iota Upsilon Sigma Chapter of
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. as a token of our esteem and
appreciation for their service.