IL HR1009

Illinois House Resolution recognizing the life and career of Chicago news columnist Ray Hanania, a Christian Palestinian Arab American born in Chicago to immigrant parents from Bethlehem and Jerusalem

Hanania enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1972, served at an F-111 fighter base during the Vietnam War, and later served 10 years in the Illinois Air National Guard in Peoria

Career highlights include working as a reporter for the Southtown Economist (1977) and Chicago Sun-Times (1985), covering six Chicago mayoral administrations, and receiving four Peter Lisagor Awards and the Sigma Delta Chi National Writing Award (2009)

Served as National President of the Palestinian American Congress in 1995 and launched the Israeli Palestinian Comedy Tour after September 11, 2001, becoming the first Palestinian to perform live comedy with Israelis

Resolution directs that a suitable copy be presented to Ray Hanania as a symbol of respect and esteem from the Illinois House of Representatives