A Resolution Honoring SGI Youthful Successors Day
WHERAS, 1,200 youth from 25 states, including Illinois, are participating in the "Heartland of America: Roaring Lions of Justice and Victory" gathering in Chicago on October 15, 2017, at Hyatt McCormick Place; and
WHERAS, This gathering marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of SGI-USA's Central Territory, and the 57th anniversary of SGI President Daisaku Ikeda's historic, first visit to Chicago on October 9, i960; and
WHERAS, Dr. Ikeda has worked tirelessly to instill in young people a sense of responsibility for global and social issues, with the goal of fostering future generations of youth committed to working for peace and justice; and
WHERAS, Dr. Ikeda serves as a living example of concern, compassion and taking responsibility for humanity through his efforts as a pioneering citizen-diplomat; as a promoter of peace and his annual submission of Peace Proposals to the United Nations; as a Buddhist scholar and author of more than 150 books; and as the founder of peace, culture and education institutions in the United States, Latin America, Europe and Japan; and
WHERAS, Dr. Ikeda's efforts have resulted in his being the recipient of numerous acknowledgments of his peace work including: the United Nations Peace Award; the International Tolerance Award from the Simon Wiesenthal Center, and the Rosa Parks Humanitarian Award; and he has been the recipient of more than 300 honorary degrees and honorary professorships, including from DePaul University, and more than 700 honorary citizenships from communities around the world; and
WHERAS, Dr. Ikeda's work has served as the inspiration and motivation for several initiatives including: the youth-created, peer education program, Victory Over Violence, which has been carried out in schools across the USA as well as throughout the state of Illinois; a nuclear abolition campaign that gathered and presented 13 million signatures to the UN; and the collection and publication of individual wartime experiences, as a reminder of the truth of his words: "True and lasting peace will only be realized by forging life-to-life bonds of trust and friendship among the world's people. Human solidarity is built by opening our hearts to each other. This is the power of dialogue"; and
WHERAS, Dr. Ikeda's efforts also led to the international expansion of the Soka Gakkai's peace movement, which has grown to more than 12 million members in 192 countries and territories; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago gathered here in assembly this 11th Day of October, 2017 A.D. do hereby declare October 15, 2017, SGI Youthful Successors Day, in honor of the commitment and vow of the 1,200-youth gathered at Hyatt McCormick Place, to carry forward the work of Dr. Ikeda to build a culture of peace and a society that honors and respects the equality and dignity of all humanity; and
Pat Dowell Alderman, 3rd Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to Soka Gakkai International - USA.
