Bill > HR0375

This resolution commends Carlos Hernandez Falcon, a nationally recognized Puerto Rican arts leader and cultural advocate with over 30 years of experience in advancing Latino arts, education, and community development. Born in Chicago to Puerto Rican parents, Hernandez Falcon founded the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance (PRAA) in 1996, growing it from a basement-based organization to a respected cultural institution serving over 30,000 individuals annually. His notable achievements include creating transformative arts programs like tuition-free music lessons, the Latin Music Project, and the Emmy Award-winning National Cuatro Festival, as well as raising millions of dollars to establish Chicago's first Puerto Rican music and arts center. Hernandez Falcon has also been instrumental in preserving Puerto Rican history through digital archives and exhibitions, forging partnerships with major cultural organizations, and providing international aid, and has been recognized with numerous awards for his visionary leadership and commitment to cultural pride and community transformation. The resolution officially commends him for his significant contributions to the Puerto Rican arts community and his continued commitment to advancing the arts in Illinois and beyond.

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=375&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HR&SessionID=114&GA=104