HR0732 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0732 LRB098 15812 MST 50849 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Philip Nelson served as the 14th President of the Illinois Farm Bureau and as its full-time executive officer for 10 years, from December 2003 to December 2013; and

WHEREAS, Philip Nelson has been an outstanding spokesperson for farmers and for all facets of Illinois agriculture, maintaining the highest level of integrity and honesty; and

WHEREAS, Philip Nelson's knowledge of agricultural issues is highly regarded, resulting in expanded relationships on both sides of the aisle at both the State and federal level; and

WHEREAS, Just days into Philip Nelson's first term as the Illinois Farm Bureau President, the first case of Mad Cow Disease was reported in the State of Washington; he took immediate action to instill consumer confidence by voicing his support for the quick action the United States Department of Agriculture took to ban downer cattle from getting into our nation's food supply; and

WHEREAS, Philip Nelson led the charge to create the Saluting Agriculture Specialty License Plate, which has brought in more than $310,000 to the Illinois Agricultural Association Foundation's Ag in the Classroom efforts; and

WHEREAS, Philip Nelson led the Illinois Farm Bureau through tough issues that would have harmed farmers and rural economies such as the potential creation of a gross receipts tax; he defended agriculture against numerous regulatory affronts; and

WHEREAS, Philip Nelson took a leadership role in bringing Illinois food and agricultural industries together on many initiatives, including Illinois Ag in the Classroom, Vision for Illinois Agriculture, and Illinois Farm Families; and

WHEREAS, Prior to being elected President of the Illinois Farm Bureau, Philip Nelson served as Vice-President of the organization from 1999 to 2003; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his life, Philip Nelson has been extremely involved in both State and national agricultural organizations; and

WHEREAS, Philip Nelson has held numerous agricultural leadership positions over the years, including serving as President of the Illinois Soybean Association from 1989 to 1991, President of the LaSalle County Farm Bureau from 1993 to 1999, Vice-President of the American Soybean Association from 1993 to 1994, and Chairman of the American Farm Bureau Federation's Swine Advisory Committee from 1997 to 2000; and

WHEREAS, Philip Nelson served with distinction as a director of the American Farm Bureau Federation from 2004 to 2013 and served as Chair of the American Farm Bureau Federation Trade Advisory Committee from 2009 to 2011; and

WHEREAS, Philip Nelson was named Future Farmers of America Star Farmer of Illinois in 1977 and the American Farm Bureau Federation's National Outstanding Young Farmer in 1984; and

WHEREAS, Philip Nelson was named Prairie Farmer Master Farmer in 2001; and

WHEREAS, Philip Nelson represented farmers' interests on the first United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Biotechnology Advisory Committee, and the Federal Grain Inspection Service Advisory Committee; he currently serves on the USDA Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade and Animals and Animal Products; and

WHEREAS, In 2012, Joliet Junior College presented Philip Nelson with its Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award; and

WHEREAS, Philip Nelson and his wife Carmen operate a fourth-generation grain and livestock farm near Seneca, where they grow corn, soybeans, and alfalfa, and run a cow-calf operation; he and his wife have 3 children, Kendall, Kyle, and Rachel; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we commend Philip Nelson on his dedication to Illinois agriculture and congratulate him on his 10 years of service as the President of the Illinois Farm Bureau; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Philip Nelson as an expression of our esteem and respect.