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SR 497

OXI DAY

104th Regular Session Introduced by Ram Villivalam

Designates Oct 28, 2025 as Oxi Day in Illinois to honor Greece’s 1940 refusal to submit to Axis demands; a symbolic, nonbinding resolution that encourages public observance.

Referred to Assignments
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Bill Summary · SR 497

Summary — SR 497 (OXI DAY)

Status: Referred to Assignments (Filed with Secretary 10/28/2025)
Introduced: May 02, 2025
Classification: Senate resolution (ceremonial)
Primary sponsors (as listed): Larry Walker, III; Randy Robertson; Matt Brass; Jason Anavitarte; Steve Gooch; John F. Kennedy; Ram Villivalam

Purpose and intent

SR 497 is a non‑binding, ceremonial resolution that designates October 28, 2025, as "Oxi Day" in the State (text refers to the State of Illinois) to commemorate Greece’s refusal to surrender to Axis demands on October 28, 1940. The resolution memorializes the historical significance of that refusal (“Oxi,” Greek for “No”), outlines how Greek resistance affected the course of World War II, and encourages public observance.

Key provisions

  • Formal declaration: Declares October 28, 2025, as Oxi Day in the State to commemorate Greece’s refusal to submit to the Axis powers during World War II.
  • Historical findings and rationale: Recites background facts and quotations describing Mussolini’s 1940 ultimatum to Greece, the Greek response of “Oxi,” subsequent Greek resistance, and comments by Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Wilhelm Keitel about the strategic and morale impact of Greek resistance on the wider war.
  • Encouragement of observance: Encourages the people of the State to support and participate in appropriate ceremonies, programs, and other remembrance activities to observe the day.
  • Direction to Secretary: Authorizes making an appropriate copy of the resolution available for distribution (in a related adoption text the Secretary of the Senate is directed to provide a copy to the family of Michael Ernest Sumner — that language appears from a separate commemorative resolution included in the same document).

Who is affected

  • Residents and institutions of the State (including schools, veteran and cultural organizations, and Greek‑American communities) are encouraged to observe the day.
  • No change to law, regulation, or state budget — the resolution is symbolic and imposes no legal obligations or expenditures.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Legislative actions listed in the file include: received by the Secretary of the Senate (05/02/2025), read and adopted in the Senate (entries dated 03/31/2025 and 05/08/2025), vote recorded and reported enrolled (05/08/2025), and filed with the Secretary (10/28/2025). The current status field indicates “Referred to Assignments” (10/28/2025).
  • As a simple resolution, it does not create binding law and requires no gubernatorial signature; its primary effect is symbolic recognition and public encouragement of commemoration.

Notes / editorial context

The document provided contains two distinct ceremonial resolutions: one honoring the life of Michael Ernest Sumner and a separate text declaring Oxi Day. SR 497 (OXI DAY) portion is the commemorative, historically focused resolution discussed above.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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