2005 Assembly Joint Resolution 26
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: commending Ignacio Contreras' courage and determination to overcome the challenges as he faces, most notably his fight against cancer.
Whereas, Ignacio Contreras, is a 12-year-old boy that endures the challenges of his new life in the United States as a bilingual student; and
Whereas, Ignacio came to the United States with his family in the year 2000 and is living with his parents, Carlos and Margarita, and his 3 brothers, Carlos Jr., Alejandro, and Richard, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and
Whereas, Ignacio's father, Carlos Contreras, works in construction to support his family, who has little medical insurance and struggles financially; and
Whereas, Ignacio is currently attending Vieau School, a Milwaukee Public School; and
Whereas, Ignacio was faced with his first challenge of having to learn a language and he was determined to overcome it, by becoming bilingual within a year and one-half; and
Whereas, Ignacio quickly gained confidence in English; he entered and won a Christmas card contest for the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team in 2002, and his design was used for its annual Christmas card; and
Whereas, in September 2004, Ignacio was faced with his most difficult challenge; he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease, a form of cancer; and
Whereas, Ignacio soon began chemotherapy, then radiation, and, during the treatment and procedures, Ignacio, at times, translated between the doctors and his parents; and
Whereas, this experience became the basis for an essay contest Ignacio wrote for the National Association of Bilingual Education; and
Whereas, Ignacio's essay, which stressed the importance of being bilingual and the opportunities that were opened up for being able to speak 2 languages, won him first place in the middle school contest; and
Whereas, Ignacio was flown to San Antonio, Texas, in January with his mother, Margarita, and bilingual teacher, Ms. Gloria Franco, to receive his national award of $1,500 for educational supplies and materials; and
Whereas, Ignacio began his next phase of treatment of radiation after he returned from receiving his award; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature commend Ignacio's courage and determination to overcome the challenges as he faces, most notably his fight against cancer; and, be it further
Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide copies of this joint resolution to Ignacio's father and mother, Carlos and Margarita Contreras.
