Bill Text: IL HR0691 | 2011-2012 | 97th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Congratulates the members of Hadassah on the occasion of the organization's 100th anniversary.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-1)

Status: (Passed) 2012-04-24 - Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Carol A. Sente [HR0691 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2011-HR0691-Introduced.html

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HR0691 LRB097 14797 GRL 61428 r
HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives are pleased to congratulate the members of
Hadassah on the occasion of the organization's 100th
anniversary on February 24, 2012; and
WHEREAS, In 1909, Henrietta Szold and her mother took a
trip to pre-state Israel, where they witnessed the starvation
and disease that afflicted the people of the region; upon
returning to the United States, she soon founded Hadassah, a
volunteer women's organization with the biblical mission of
Aruhat Bat Ami: the Healing of the Daughter of my People; and
WHEREAS, Hadassah's first mission was to send two nurses to
Palestine to provide pasteurized milk to infants and new
mothers; the organization also worked to eradicate trachoma, an
easily cured eye disease that was robbing thousands of their
sight; by 1918, Hadassah had sent an entire medical unit,
composed of 45 doctors, nurses, dentists, and sanitary workers,
to bring American-style medical care to serve all, regardless
of race, creed, or ethnicity; and
WHEREAS, By the mid-1930s, it had become clear that Jewish
children needed to be saved from a Europe that was rapidly
darkening with anti-Semitic and Nazi threats and actions;

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joining with a German colleague, Henrietta Szold helped
organize the rescue of thousands such children, bringing them
to safety in Palestine; these children became one of the
foundations of the modern state of Israel, and many of her
"children" and their children survive to this day; and
WHEREAS, As early as 1942, the U.S. State Department named
Hadassah as one of the five largest contributors to overseas
relief; during World War II, Hadassah chapters around the
country sold a total of $200 million in war bonds; for their
efforts, Hadassah was rewarded with 100 U.S. Air Force bombers,
each bearing the name of a Hadassah chapter; and
WHEREAS, Hadassah founded, owns, and supports 2
world-class medical centers in greater Jerusalem, and are
rapidly expanding their campuses and facilities; Hadassah is
currently concluding a $210 million capital campaign for the
Sarah Wetsman Davidson Tower at Hadassah Medical Center in Ein
Kerem, Jerusalem; over the years, Hadassah has expanded Israeli
projects to include Hadassah College Jerusalem, one of Israel's
top-ranked smaller colleges, 3 Hadassah Youth Aliyah villages,
where they house, feed, educate, and nurture young immigrants
and Israel's underprivileged youth, and Israel's largest
touring and residency program for American Jewish youth through
Young Judaea, the Hadassah Zionist youth movement; Hadassah
also supports major reforestation and water conservation

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programs to protect Israel's precious natural resources; and
WHEREAS, The Hadassah-supported Youth Aliyah/Children at
Risk program sets Israel's disadvantaged children on the path
to a successful future; since 1934, over 300,000 young people
from 80 lands have graduated from Youth Aliyah; young
immigrants and "at-risk" native Israelis, many of whom are
victims of abuse, receive counseling, education, and support
services in Youth Aliyah day centers and youth villages; the
Hadassah Medical Organization (HMO) is one of the world's
leading institutions in healthcare, comprised of the
Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center at Ein Kerem and the
Hadassah University Hospital at Mount Scopus; and
WHEREAS, Since its inception, Hadassah has taken firm
advocacy positions on First Amendment issues, public health,
support of Israel, and a vast array of social concerns,
including immigration and voting rights; in recent years,
Hadassah has spoken out passionately in favor of federal and
state funding for stem cell research and has advocated strongly
for legislation that supports medical privacy and freedom from
genetic discrimination by insurance companies and employers;
and
WHEREAS, With 300,000 members, Hadassah is the largest
Jewish volunteer organization in America and one of the largest

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women's volunteer organizations in the world; and
WHEREAS, The members of Hadassah serve as models of hard
work, integrity, and dedication for the people of the State of
Illinois; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we congratulate the members of Hadassah on the occasion of the
organization's 100th anniversary and wish them continued
success and happiness in the future; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the date of February 24, 2012 be designated
as Hadassah Day in the State of Illinois; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to Hadassah as a symbol of our esteem and respect.