HR0951 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0951 LRB104 22109 LAW 38283 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate the Lombard Garden Club on the occasion of its 100th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, For a century, the Lombard Garden Club has helped shape the beauty and character of the Lombard community since its founding on May 28, 1926; and

WHEREAS, The Lombard Garden Club welcomes experienced and budding gardeners to gain enjoyment and a sense of accomplishment by connecting with other gardeners, staying true to its main purpose of promoting an interest in gardening while beautifying the Lombard landscape; and

WHEREAS, The Lombard Garden Club supports two butterfly gardens in Lilacia Park, a native garden at the Sheldon Peck Homestead, and gardens at Maple Street Chapel and Terrace View Park; and

WHEREAS, The Lombard Garden Club is also known for its Annual Lilac Sale, an event that has been held on the Thursday prior to Mother's Day for more than 50 years, attracting people from Lombard and the surrounding communities as well as Michigan, Indiana, and Missouri; and

WHEREAS, The Lombard Garden Club further supports its community through awarding scholarships to support Lombard residents in pursuit of studies in horticulture and related fields; and

WHEREAS, The Lombard Garden Club began commemorating its 100th birthday with the Centennial Celebration Luncheon for members and their guests in April 2026, where 100 guests attended a Roaring Twenties-themed gala, with many attendees donning clothing reminiscent of that era; and

WHEREAS, The following month, the Lombard Garden Club served as Grand Marshal of the 2026 Annual Lilac Festival Parade, with members walking beside or riding the club's float under the banner of "Gardening… An American Tradition" to reflect this year's parade theme, "Happy 250th Birthday, America"; and

WHEREAS, The Lombard Garden Club's 100-year accomplishment was celebrated by the Village of Lombard, which proclaimed the date of the club's 100th birthday, May 28, 2026, as Lombard Garden Club Day; and

WHEREAS, The Lombard Garden Club further commemorated its centennial by installing a memorial brick at Lilacia Park; and

WHEREAS, The Lombard Garden Club previously brought national attention to its hometown through hosting the 2011 International Lilac Society Annual Convention, which specially recognized the Village of Lombard as Lilac Village; and

WHEREAS, From lilacs and prairie plantings to education, conservation, and historic preservation, the Lombard Garden Club's generations of members have cultivated more than gardens for the past century; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Lombard Garden Club on achieving its 100th anniversary, reflecting a century of its members' shared dedication, efforts, and community care; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Lombard Garden Club as an expression of our esteem and respect.