WHEREAS, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the oldest and largest volunteer dues paying civic organization in this nation, established in 1929 to uphold and defend the rights and duties vested in every American citizen by the letter and spirit of the law of the land; and

WHEREAS, LULAC believes that education is the foundation for the cultural growth and development of this nation and that we are obliged to promote, protect and assure the right of our people to an education that is in accordance with the best American education principles and standards; and

WHEREAS, LULAC is committed to actively promote and foster suitable measures for the attainment of the highest of our American society; and

WHEREAS, LULAC is committed to promote and encourage the education of youth and adults through the constant vigilance of administrative and instructional practices in schools which deprive persons of educational opportunities; and

WHEREAS, LULAC of Illinois established a special award to recognize school improvement efforts in Hispanic public high schools in the greater Chicago and area using as a criteria: ADA (average daily attendance) 90%; Truancy Rate, less than 5%, Dropout rate, less than 5%; and "show 'em"--Graduation Rate; and

WHEREAS, the 14 Hispanic public high schools in the State of Illinois which were eligible for the award are located in Waukegan, Aurora, Cicero, and Chicago; and

WHEREAS, the first Annual Award for the "Most Improved High School" was presented at the 2001 Illinois State Convention to Morton East High School District 201 in Cicero, Illinois, for the most improved Hispanic high school in the State of Illinois.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that LULAC National establish a similar award nation-wide and that LULAC promote and encourage public high school principals and educational institutions throughout our country to strive for the attainment of this most coveted award. All schools competing will be recognized for their efforts, but the best result is that our youth, our most precious resource, will reap the benefits.

Submitted by:
The LULAC Cicero and Springfield Councils
Blanca Vargas, State Director
Manuel Izquierdo, Deputy State Director

Approved this 9th day of June, 2001.

Rick Dovalina
LULAC National President