HJ0017 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0017 LRB095 11019 KXB 31334 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Illinois General Assembly wishes to present this resolution as a tribute to and acknowledgment of Oprah Winfrey's contributions to the State of Illinois, the nation, and the world; we benefit immensely from her presence in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Oprah Gail Winfrey was born on January 29, 1954 in Kosciusko, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, She began her broadcasting career at WVOL radio in Nashville while still in high school; at the age of 19, she became the youngest person and the first African-American woman to anchor the news at Nashville's WTVF-TV; and

WHEREAS, In 1976, she moved to Baltimore, Maryland to join WJZ-TV news as a co-anchor of the Six O'Clock News, and in 1978, discovered her talent for hosting talk shows when she became co-host of WJZ-TV's talk show "People Are Talking", while continuing to serve as anchor and news reporter; in January 1984, she moved to Chicago to host WLS-TV's morning talk show "AM Chicago", which became the number one local talk show just one month after she began; in less than a year, the show expanded to one hour and, in September 1985, was renamed "The Oprah Winfrey Show"; in 1986, "The Oprah Winfrey Show" was syndicated and aired in 107 countries with 23 million viewers; and

WHEREAS, She has impacted the media of television, publishing, film, philanthropy, education, and health and fitness; and

WHEREAS, In the television medium, the film medium, and the print medium, she serves as chairperson of HARPO, Inc., HARPO Productions, Inc.; HARPO Studios Inc., HARPO Films, Inc., HARPO Print, LLC, and HARPO Video, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, She has received numerous awards, including the George Foster Peabody Individual Achievement Award (1996); the International Radio and Television Society's "Broadcaster of the Year" Award (1996); Newsweek's "Most Important Person" in books and media, TV Guide's "Television Performer of the Year" (1997); Time magazine's "100 Most Influential People of the 20th Century", the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences' Lifetime Achievement Award (1998); the National Book Foundation's 50th Anniversary Gold Medal (1999); the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award, Broadcasting & Cable's Hall of Fame (2002); Association of American Publishers AAP Honors award (2003); National Association of Broadcasters Distinguished Service Award; and Time Magazine's "100 Most Influential People in the World" (2004); and

WHEREAS, After receiving 39 Daytime Emmy Awards, seven for Outstanding Host, nine for Outstanding Talk Show, 21 in the Creative Arts categories, and one for Oprah's work as supervising producer of the ABC After School Special "Shades of Single Protein", Oprah removed herself from future Emmy consideration in 1999, and the show followed suit in 2000; and

WHEREAS, Her never-ending philanthropy has been exemplified by such activities as ChristmasKindness South Africa 2002; Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls-South Africa; and the Oprah Winfrey Scholars Program; among her many ventures that have improved the lives of countless individuals are Oprah's Angel Network; Oprah's Book Club; the Live Your Best Life Tour; her service as national spokesperson for "A Better Chance"; and her service as an advocate for the National Child Protection Act, which was signed on December 20, 1993 by President Clinton and declared the "Oprah Bill"; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that the last week of February in 2007 and each subsequent year shall be known as Oprah Winfrey Week to recognize the innumerable achievements of Ms. Winfrey, as well as her mark on the world as an African-American woman; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Oprah Winfrey as an expression of our utmost respect and esteem.