HR0066 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0066 LRB101 08027 ALS 53088 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Jim and Nancy Reynolds on owning and operating the 157-acres Freedom Hill Farms near Watseka for more than three decades; and

WHEREAS, Jim Reynolds has worked as a college professor at Eastern Illinois University and as a high school math and physics teacher; under Governor Edgar, he served as the Director of Fairs and Promotions for the Illinois Department of Agriculture; however, he has always been enthusiastic about harness horses; and

WHEREAS, Jim Reynolds was first introduced to horses in the second grade, when he was given his first pony; his interest remained throughout high school, and he spent time riding bulls as an amateur rodeo performer; he later became a driver and piloted more than 250 horses to the winner's circle; in 1979, he was granted a year's leave of absence from Eastern, and he and Nancy purchased the farm; along with their two children, Keith and Kristopher, the pair has raised countless harness horses, many of which have competed in races across the country; and

WHEREAS, Jim Reynolds was also successful as a trainer, especially with the filly, Street Dancer, who earned more than $860,000 in her career; and

WHEREAS, In recent years, Jim Reynolds has moved more into breeding, and Freedom Hills has grown into one of the largest breeding farms in the State of Illinois; the farm houses 38 mares and 25 foals; and

WHEREAS, Jim Reynolds is active in his local community as well; he has served on the board of the Iroquois County Community Unit School District and was elected Director of the U.S. Trotting Association District 5 (Illinois) in 2010; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Jim and Nancy Reynolds on their successes with Freedom Hill Farms, and we admire their hard work and dedication; we wish them many more successful years; and be it further

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