NEW ITEMS Meeting of the Cook County Board of Commissioners ...

page 19
NEW ITEMS
Meeting of May 1, 2007
PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS continued
ITEM #7 cont’d
WHEREAS, Asian American Heritage Month provides Cook County an opportunity to restate its firm
stand against any and all discrimination on the basis of race, creed or national origin in Cook County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners declare the
month of May as Asian American Heritage Month in Cook County, and urge all residents and groups to
participate in the events sponsored by Asian American organizations throughout the month of May.
_________________________
In accordance with Cook County Code Section 2-108(h)(1), Commissioner Silvestri, seconded by
Commissioner Daley, moved to suspend the rules so that this matter may be considered. The motion
carried unanimously.
Commissioner Silvestri, seconded by Commissioner Steele, moved that the Resolution be approved and
adopted. The motion carried unanimously.
ITEM #8
Submitting a Resolution sponsored by
MIKE QUIGLEY, County Commissioner
* * * * *
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION HONORING PROJECT PURPLE: CHICAGO
WHEREAS, every two and a half minutes, somewhere in America, someone is sexually assaulted; and
WHEREAS, one in six American women are victims of sexual assault, and one in 33 men; and
WHEREAS, awareness is crucial in ending violence against women. The vast majority of sexual
assaults go unreported. Victims of sexual assaults and violence often face ridicule and skepticism when
coming forward, instead of receiving the attention they deserve. The traumatizing experience from an
assault is then followed by more fear and distress. Many must face this suffering completely alone; and
WHEREAS, it is not only the victims that keep silent. Society as a whole generally avoids openly
discussing sexual assault and violence, the silence encourages more violence. Hiding the truth and
ignoring the reality of violence results in a lack of education, while fundraising for Violence Against
Women organizations becomes difficult, and loopholes in the law which benefit attackers go
unchallenged; and
WHEREAS, Project Purple: Chicago, was launched in April 2007 in recognition of National Sexual
Assault Awareness Month; and
WHERAS, Project Purple: Chicago, partnered with Chicago venues to protect employees and raise funds
for the National Center on Domestic & Sexual Violence and local Chicago women’s organizations; and
WHEREAS, Project Purple sponsors free initiatives for both employees and employers including
personal safety workshops on how to spot an attacker; appropriate responses to both violent and nonviolent
confrontations; proactive lifestyle choices to avoid dangerous situations altogether; and counseling
recommendations in the event of an attack; and
WHEREAS, Project Purple is organizing “SAFE & SOUND” events to generate awareness and raise
funds for local and national women’s organizations where Chicago music hotspots will spin their
turntables for a good cause as Project Purple and its partners raise funds for participating women’s
organizations; and
WHEREAS, participating businesses will display the official Project Purple Awareness Flag,
symbolizing a safe Chicago; and