RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF FEBRUARY 15, 2018
Title
RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners recognizing the PUSH for Excellence (PUSH Excel) Inspirational Speech Oratorical Contest
Body
WHEREAS, PUSH for Excellence, Inc. (PUSH Excel) was founded in 1975 by Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. and several nationally recognized educators to inspire students to strive for excellence in education in spite of challenges they might experience; and
WHEREAS, PUSH Excel was created as a national model for the purpose of connecting principals, teachers, parents, popular personalities and students to allow students the opportunity to pursue a high quality education while striving for excellence at every level of the educational ladder; and
WHEREAS, PUSH Excel strives to be a world leader in promoting educational resources to ensure that every child has the opportunity to receive a quality education; and
WHEREAS, on January 15, 2018, PUSH Excel hosted the 28th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Breakfast in honor of the slain civil rights leader; and
WHEREAS, the annual Dr. King breakfast allows students to gain an understanding of the life and legacy of Dr. King and witness the talent and achievements of their fellow peers; and
WHEREAS, the PUSH Excel Inspirational Speech Oratorical Contest, showcased at the annual Dr. King breakfast, is designed to focus young people on the power of eloquent persuasive speech that promotes strong moral ideas, excellence in education, and sound communication skills; and
WHEREAS, the 2017 1st Place PUSH Excel Inspirational Speech Tournament winners are Faith Jenkins, a 2nd grade student at Calumet Christian School; Rutherford Simmons, III, a 5th grade student at Southwest Chicago Christian School; Rian Baker, an 8th grade student at KIPP College Prep; and Rebecca Reid, a Junior at Whitney Young High School; and
WHEREAS, the Inspirational Speech Oratorical Contest participants are under the guidance of Rev. Dr. Janette Wilson, Esq., PUSH Excel Executive Director; Ms. Michelle Chambers, Program Director; and Associate Cook County Judge Stanley L. Hill, Oratory Society Chairman; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, on behalf of ourselves and staff, commend Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., the Board of Directors and staff of PUSH for Excellence (PUSH Excel) for their successful implementation of the PUSH Excel Inspirational Speech Oratorical Contest; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread upon the permanent Record of proceedings of the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, and that a copy of same, suitably engrossed, be presented to the Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr. and the Board of PUSH Excel.
Dated: February 15, 2018
Approved: MARIYANA T. SPYROPOULOS, President; BARBARA J. MCGOWAN, Vice President; FRANK AVILA, Chairman, Committee on Finance; MARTIN J. DURKAN; JOSINA MORITA; DEBRA SHORE; KARI K. STEELE; DAVID J. WALSH; Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
Approved as to Form and Legality: Susan T. Morakalis, General Counsel, STM:BK:bh