SJ0019 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0019 LRB103 26718 LAW 53081 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, It is highly fitting that the General Assembly pays honor and respect to those individuals who have contributed to the success of their community and the State and to the efforts to cure childhood cancers and other pediatric diseases; and

WHEREAS, Roger and Regina Landon of Chandlerville established trail rides at the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area, one of the State's largest public access areas, to highlight the beautiful facets of nature found at this location, to bring horse and fish enthusiasts together to enjoy the trails of this wildlife area, and to encourage camping at the location; and

WHEREAS, In 2001, Roger and Regina Landon began organizing numerous horse trail rides at the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area to raise money for the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (St. Jude), gathering horse enthusiasts from all over central Illinois to attend their Saddle-Up for St. Jude event to raise money for children diagnosed with cancer and other pediatric diseases that are being treated at St. Jude, an event the Landon family continues to host and organize each June to this day; and

WHEREAS, St. Jude, located in Memphis, Tennessee, treats children with cancer and other pediatric diseases; the hospital's research efforts are directed at understanding the molecular, genetic, and chemical basis of catastrophic diseases in children, identifying cures for such diseases, and promoting their prevention, with research being focused specifically on cancers, acquired and inherited immunodeficiency disorders, sickle cell disease, infectious diseases, and genetic disorders; in Illinois, the hospital is associated with the Children's Hospital of Illinois, located in Peoria; and

WHEREAS, St. Jude treats children at no cost to the patients; in order to operate, it is estimated to cost the hospital more than $2 billion each year, with the majority of those funds coming from generous donors and fundraising events; and

WHEREAS, Roger and Regina Landon started Saddle-Up for St. Jude in 2001 with the initial goal or becoming more successful than similar fundraisers held in Illinois, which then averaged $3,500; their annual benefit includes food, music, raffles, prizes, and a silent auction, with items donated by generous friends and acquaintances; their benefit is well-attended each year, not only by horse enthusiasts but also by individuals interested in supporting St. Jude; and

WHEREAS, Roger and Regina Landon's Saddle-Up for St. Jude raised $10,000 after its first benefit, with the event routinely securing more donations each year; when the COVID-19 pandemic looked to derail their efforts in 2020, they pivoted their outdoor event to a virtual fundraiser, collecting an additional $35,000 for St. Jude; most recently, their benefit raised over $63,000 in 2022; since the benefit's inception, they have given over $800,000 to benefit the children at St. Jude; and

WHEREAS, For his work and dedication, Roger Landon was recognized as Event Coordinator of the Year by St. Jude in 2012, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the hospital, which was established in 1962; and

WHEREAS, Sadly, Roger Landon passed in the fall of 2021; Michael Landon, one of Roger and Regina's sons, assumed the leadership role for the Saddle-Up for St. Jude event, continuing his parents' efforts to bring people together in order to support the work of St. Jude; and

WHEREAS, The Landon family remains personally interested in the Jim Edgar Panther Creek Equestrian Park, not only because of it being the location for Saddle-Up for St. Jude but also for their desire to keep the park beautiful and enticing for everyone to visit and camp; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate the equestrian campground within the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area in Chandlerville as the "Landon Equestrian Campground"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Department of Natural Resources is requested to erect at suitable locations, consistent with State and federal regulations, appropriate plaques or signs giving notice of the name "Landon Equestrian Campground"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we recognize Regina Landon and the late Roger Landon on their distinguished volunteerism and their lifelong dedication to the people of Illinois and to preserving the natural fish and wildlife areas of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we recognize Michael Landon for continuing his parents' legacy and leading Saddle-Up for St. Jude; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the Director of Natural Resources and the Landon family.