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91_HR0885 LRB9115006KBkb 1 HOUSE RESOLUTION 2 WHEREAS, Benin was formerly part of French West Africa 3 and gained independence as Dahomey in 1960; it changed its 4 name to Benin in 1975; and 5 WHEREAS, The nation state of Benin is on the west coast 6 of the continent of Africa; and 7 WHEREAS, The population of Benin is estimated at 8 6,000,000 and is 99% indigenous African; and 9 WHEREAS, Benin has many developed and underdeveloped 10 natural resources; and 11 WHEREAS, Twenty-one business persons from Benin, West 12 Africa are visiting the United States of America; and 13 WHEREAS, These business persons are on a mission to 14 identify African-American businesses that have the interest 15 and capacity to engage in free trade with Benin in the 16 following areas: clothing, textiles, automotive parts, 17 cosmetics, health and beauty supplies, building construction 18 materials, construction equipment, computer equipment, and 19 software; and 20 WHEREAS, The members of the Benin Trade Mission are 21 acutely interested in the immediate purchase of medical 22 equipment and hospital supplies; and 23 WHEREAS, The members the Benin Trade Mission seek to 24 identify African-Americans and others who are interested in 25 engaging in finance and investments in the general area of 26 economic development in their country; and 27 WHEREAS, The following people are members of the Benin 28 Trade Mission: Theo Adebiaye, Chakirou Tidjani, M. Mouinatou, 29 Mohamed Paraisco, Ramanou Kouferidji, Ukariwo M'Ba, Helene 30 Sodogandji Deckon, Alexis Gnanguenon, Kanzoulaye Joachim, -2- LRB9115006KBkb 1 Djakoto-Sessou Dovi, Djakoto-Sessou Afi, Latoundju Masyatou, 2 Djato Vidjro, Bito Kika, Namoessi Comlan, Teouri Traore, 3 Tequri Elhadj Baba, Odeloui Pascal, Marie-Beline Kiniffo, 4 Ogwo Orji, and John Orji; and 5 WHEREAS, The overall aim of the Benin Trade Mission and 6 visit to Chicago is to establish ongoing and reciprocal 7 relationships that benefit both the people of Benin, West 8 Africa, and the State of Illinois; and 9 WHEREAS, The Benin Trade Mission's visit to Chicago is 10 sponsored by Anthony Fields & Associates and is hosted by Dr. 11 Carol Adams and Dr. Conrad Worrill of the Northeastern 12 Illinois University Center for Inner City Studies, Idella 13 Blackwood of AARCO Travel Agency, the Reverend Dr. Leon D. 14 Finney, Jr. and the Christ Apostolic Church, and State 15 Representative Lovanna Jones; therefore, be it 16 RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 17 NINETY-FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 18 we commend the Benin Trade Mission for visiting our State for 19 the purpose of establishing reciprocal trade relationships 20 that benefit both the citizens of Benin and Illinois; and be 21 it further 22 RESOLVED, That the Illinois House of Representatives 23 encourage Illinois businesses to explore ongoing business 24 relationships with their counterparts in Benin, West Africa; 25 and be it further 26 RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 27 presented to the members of the Benin Trade Mission.