HR0125LRB097 10902 GRL 51553 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are pleased to congratulate the citizens of the
4City of Champaign on the occasion of the city's 150th
5anniversary; and
 
6    WHEREAS, The rich history of the City of Champaign began on
7April 20, 1860, when the citizens of the area formerly known as
8West Urbana voted to incorporate as Champaign City; on March
925, 1861, the citizens of Champaign City voted to approve the
10first charter for the City of Champaign, which was subsequently
11approved by the State of Illinois; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Since its founding, the City of Champaign has
13proven to be a vital asset to the State of Illinois and its
14residents; centered in Champaign in the 1860s and later, the
15Illinois Central Railroad contributed to the great
16colonization and commerce within the State of Illinois and the
17nation at large; in 1867, the Illinois House of Representatives
18approved the Champaign County site for the Illinois Industrial
19University, now the University of Illinois, which has become a
20world leader in research, teaching, and public engagement; and
 
21    WHEREAS, Over the years, the City of Champaign has been led
22by an able group of mayors, city council members, city

 

 

HR0125- 2 -LRB097 10902 GRL 51553 r

1managers, and other employees retained by them to accomplish
2the goals and ensure the prosperity of the city and the welfare
3of its citizens; the city also contains numerous business
4institutions, civic institutions, churches, historic
5landmarks, labor unions, societies, and clubs, which have all
6contributed to the rich fabric of the State over the city's 150
7year history; and
 
8    WHEREAS, The City of Champaign's educational endeavors to
9develop successful students and citizens of character are
10reflected in the Champaign Unit 4 School District's commitment
11to providing dynamic, resource-rich learning environments,
12abundant community partnerships, and annual support for
13exceeding exam averages on the State and national level; the
14city is also home to the third largest community college
15district in Illinois, Parkland College, which is known for its
16excellent academic standards, innovative programs, and quality
17instruction; and
 
18    WHEREAS, The City of Champaign is a nationally recognized
19multi-award winning quality parks and recreation community;
20the city's Champaign Park District boasts more than 60 parks
21totaling over 650 acres and over 1,200 special events and
22program offerings annually; and
 
23    WHEREAS, The City of Champaign has been the home to and

 

 

HR0125- 3 -LRB097 10902 GRL 51553 r

1nurtured notable athletes, authors, educators, engineers,
2architects, inventors, physicians, persons prominent in the
3media, musicians, artists, Olympians, scientists, prominent
4elected officials, civic leaders, military heroes, and persons
5dedicated to the social well-being of the city, the State of
6Illinois, and the nation at large; and
 
7    WHEREAS, In March of 2010, the City of Champaign launched a
8year-long celebration in honor of its 150th anniversary, which
9has included a three-week historical display of Champaign
10history and an extensive music festival and birthday salute to
11Champaign; to culminate the celebration year, the city has
12planned a community-driven "Letters to the Future" project,
13youth art exhibit, and Legacy/Time Capsule Dedication Ceremony
14for Spring 2011; therefore, be it
 
15    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
16NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
17we congratulate the citizens of the City of Champaign on the
18occasion of the city's 150th anniversary and wish them success
19and happiness in the future; and be it further
 
20    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
21presented to Gerald Schwieghart, Mayor of the City of
22Champaign, as a symbol of our esteem and respect.