HR0289 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0289 LRB102 18341 LAW 26123 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate the City of Hoopeston on the occasion of its 150th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, Hoopeston was founded in northern Vermilion County in July 1871 at the crossroads of two railroads, which were the Chicago, Danville, and Vincennes Railroad, known today as the C&EI, and the now-defunct Lafayette, Bloomington, and Western Railroads; and

WHEREAS, Hoopeston was named after Thomas Hoopes, who donated the land on which the railroads were built; by 1872, it had grown to 70 buildings and a population of 245; and

WHEREAS, Hoopeston has had a proud history in the agricultural business and in manufacturing, and the city still possesses a canning factory and a can manufacturing factory; and

WHEREAS, Hoopeston was once known as the sweet corn capital of the world; paying tribute to this tradition, it hosts the National Sweetcorn Festival every Labor Day weekend; in conjunction with the festival, it hosts the National Sweetheart Pageant, which brings contestants to Hoopeston from across the United States; and

WHEREAS, Hoopeston's sweet corn legacy is further honored by the Hoopeston Area School District's nickname being the Cornjerkers, which first emerged in the 1920s and has earned the school district nationwide honors as one of the most unique high school mascots; and

WHEREAS, Hoopeston is an ever evolving city and is adding unique stores, re-establishing some of its historic buildings into viable business options, and continuing to add different types of businesses in the health field; and

WHEREAS, To celebrate its sesquicentennial anniversary, Hoopeston is holding a number of events and activities starting at the end of May and culminating in a week-long celebration from June 27 to July 3, 2021; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the City of Hoopeston on its 150th anniversary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Hoopeston Mayor Bill Crusinberry as an expression of our esteem and respect.