Members of the House designated April as Arab American Heritage month.
Members of the House designated April as Arab American Heritage month.
House Bill 597, designating April as Arab American Heritage Month, passed in the House of Representatives on Nov. 15, 99:0.
Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) and Reps. Michael J. Zalewski (D-Riverside), Juliana Stratton (D-Chicago), Elizabeth Hernandez (D-Cicero) and John C. D'Amico (D-Chicago) sponsored the bill.
"I move for the passage of House Bill 5971," Zalewski said. "It designates April of each year as Arab American Heritage Month as observed throughout the state of Illinois."
Zalewski said his district has a large Arab population.
"It's important to recognize the contribution of these citizens, and I urge for everyone's aye votes and passage of House Bill 5971," Zalewski said.
Andre Thapedi (D-Chicago) thanked Zalewski for bringing the bill forward and asked for his name to be added as a sponsor of the bill.
Rep. Margo McDermed (R-Frankfort) also supported the bill.
"I have two large Muslim prayer centers in my district, so I want to go on the record as saying this is a great thing," McDermed said. "I'd also like to see us urge the governor to get the Muslim Advisory Council going. Several of us have members we appointed to that group and it needs to get going because there is a lot of work that needs to be done."
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