<tr><td class="xsl" colspan="3"><p> </p> </td></tr></td></tr><tr><td class="xsl" colspan="3"><table class="xsl" width="100%"><colgroup width="5%"></colgroup><colgroup width="5%"></colgroup><colgroup width="30%"></colgroup><colgroup width="20%"></colgroup><colgroup width="40%"></colgroup><tr><td class="number"></td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" align="left">SJ0032</td><td class="xsl" align="center"></td><td class="xsl" align="right">LRB104 13298 LAW 25543 r</td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td class="xsl"> </td></tr><tr><td class="number">1</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><center><code>SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION</code></center> </td></tr><tr><td class="number">2</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code> </code><code>WHEREAS, On November 12, 1922, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">3</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>Inc. was founded by seven visionary educators at Butler </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">4</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>University, united in their mission to enhance the quality of </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">5</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>life for women and families through education, community </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">6</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>service, and civic engagement; and</code> </td></tr><tr><td class="number">7</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code> </code><code>WHEREAS, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.'s Central Region, </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">8</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>originally established in 1925 and organized by Homer Woods of </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">9</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>Chicago in 1940, further advanced the sorority's mission by </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">10</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>fostering leadership, service, and sisterhood across the </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">11</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>Midwest; and</code> </td></tr><tr><td class="number">12</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code> </code><code>WHEREAS, Across the State, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">13</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>has remained a steadfast advocate for equity in education and </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">14</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>health care, leading impactful initiatives that address </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">15</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>systemic disparities in mental health, academic achievement, </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">16</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>and access to essential resources while uplifting youth, </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">17</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>families, and historically underserved communities; and</code> </td></tr><tr><td class="number">18</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code> </code><code>WHEREAS, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.'s 21 alumnae </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">19</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>chapters and 19 undergraduate chapters throughout Illinois </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">20</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>reflect the sorority's deep-rooted commitment to leadership, </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">21</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>service, and sisterhood across college campuses and local </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">22</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>communities alike; and</code> </td></tr></table><table class="xsl" width="650"><tr><td class="lineNum" colspan="3"><p> </p><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td class="xsl" colspan="3"><table class="xsl" width="100%"><colgroup width="5%"></colgroup><colgroup width="5%"></colgroup><colgroup width="30%"></colgroup><colgroup width="20%"></colgroup><colgroup width="40%"></colgroup><tr><td class="number"></td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" align="left">SJ0032</td><td class="xsl" align="center">- 2 -</td><td class="xsl" align="right">LRB104 13298 LAW 25543 r</td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td class="xsl"> </td></tr><tr><td class="number">1</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code> </code><code>WHEREAS, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.'s </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">2</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>multigenerational impact is evident through its signature </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">3</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>programs, which include Project CRADLE Care, Youth Symposium, </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">4</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>Swim 1922, and Operation Big Book Bag, as well as its </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">5</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>investment in the growth and development of young girls </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">6</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>through the Rhosebuds and Rhoers clubs, instilling leadership, </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">7</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>confidence, and civic responsibility from an early age; and</code> </td></tr><tr><td class="number">8</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code> </code><code>WHEREAS, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. draws strength and </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">9</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>inspiration from distinguished leaders who have shaped the </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">10</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>landscape of public service and community empowerment, </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">11</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>including former State Senator Margaret Smith, Rainbow PUSH </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">12</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>Coalition cofounder Rev. Willie T. Barrow, 13th International </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">13</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>Grand Basileus of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">14</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>pioneering educator Dr. Annie Lawrence Brown, who also served </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">15</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>as the first African American president of the Illinois Nurses </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">16</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>Association, former State Representative Sharon Markette </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">17</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>Malone, current State Representative Debbie Meyers Martin, </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">18</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>21st Central Region Director of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">19</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>and Executive Director of the Illinois Legislative Black </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">20</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>Caucus Foundation Tiffany D. Hightower, former State </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">21</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>Representative and current City Treasurer of Chicago Melissa </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">22</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>Conyears Ervin, and former State Representative and current </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">23</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>U.S. Congresswoman Robin Kelly; and</code> </td></tr></table><table class="xsl" width="650"><tr><td class="lineNum" colspan="3"><p> </p><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td class="xsl" colspan="3"><table class="xsl" width="100%"><colgroup width="5%"></colgroup><colgroup width="5%"></colgroup><colgroup width="30%"></colgroup><colgroup width="20%"></colgroup><colgroup width="40%"></colgroup><tr><td class="number"></td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" align="left">SJ0032</td><td class="xsl" align="center">- 3 -</td><td class="xsl" align="right">LRB104 13298 LAW 25543 r</td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td class="xsl"> </td></tr><tr><td class="number">1</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code> </code><code>WHEREAS, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.'s Central Region </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">2</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>celebrates 100 years of sisterhood, service, and excellence, </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">3</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>of continued leadership, of unwavering advocacy, and of making </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">4</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>a transformative impact throughout the State and beyond; and</code> </td></tr><tr><td class="number">5</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code> </code><code>WHEREAS, On May 7, 2025, members of Sigma Gamma Rho </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">6</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>Sorority, Inc. from across Illinois will gather at the </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">7</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>Illinois State Capitol to participate in Sigma Gamma Rho, </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">8</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>Incorporated Day and to engage directly with lawmakers, lend </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">9</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>their voices to the legislative process, and continue their </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">10</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>legacy of purposeful advocacy and policy-centered service in </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">11</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>alignment with the sorority's national mission and core </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">12</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>values; therefore, be it</code> </td></tr><tr><td class="number">13</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code> </code><code>RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">14</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">15</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that we declare May 7, 2025 </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">16</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>as Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated Day in the State of </code></td></tr><tr><td class="number">17</td><td class="junk"></td><td class="xsl" ><code>Illinois.</code>