HR0732 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0732 LRB102 26728 LAW 37613 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize the City of Decatur for its rich history and preservation of historic homes and buildings; and

WHEREAS, Historic preservation is an effective tool for stimulating growth, revitalizing neighborhoods, fostering local pride, and maintaining community character while enhancing livability; and

WHEREAS, Decatur is rich in historical elements of President Abraham Lincoln, including the site of his first Illinois home at the Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park & Memorial; it was Decatur where Lincoln was first nominated for the presidency at the State Republican Party Convention in 1860 and where he tried cases at the log courthouse known today as the Macon County History Museum; and

WHEREAS, Decatur is home to such iconic structures as the 126 year-old Transfer House, the 1916 Avon Theatre, the 1929 Masonic Temple, the 1916 Lincoln Square Theatre, the 1909 Powers Mansion, the 1870s Governor Oglesby Mansion, the 1876 James Millikin Homestead, and many more; and

WHEREAS, Decatur was also an important early center of rail commerce and operations for the Baltimore & Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wabash, Illinois Central, and Illinois Terminal Railroads; and

WHEREAS, Historic preservation is relevant for communities across the nation, both urban and rural, and for Americans of all ages, all walks of life, and all ethnic backgrounds; and

WHEREAS, History of the Heartland is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, which promotes historic preservation and the local history of Decatur; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare May 15 through May 21, 2022 as Historic Preservation Week for Decatur in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we recognize the City of Decatur for its rich history and preservation of historic homes and buildings, which make the city unique and provide links to understanding the city's pioneers and their descendants.