HR0169 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0169 LRB103 31648 MST 60122 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Illinois rivers were once a vital part of the culture and lives of the Peoria, Kaskaskia, Piankashaw, Wea, Miami, Mascoutin, Odawa, Sauk, Mesquaki, Kickapoo, Potawatomi, Ojibwe, and Chickasaw peoples who inhabited the land, which continues to carry their stories; and

WHEREAS, Illinois rivers have been a vital part of the State's history since statehood, including the life of the 16th President Abraham Lincoln, the story of the Underground Railroad up to and during the Civil War, and part of the development story of the City of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Rivers throughout Illinois are premier natural resources, providing water for agriculture, wildlife, recreation, and residential and industrial uses; and

WHEREAS, Illinois contains more miles of rivers than any other state east of the Mississippi River, and Illinoisans throughout the State enjoy recreation on Illinois rivers, including boating, fishing, angling, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, tubing, and many other sports; and

WHEREAS, Agriculture, water recreation, and water-related tourism are key economic drivers in the State, and the values and services associated with watersheds such as clean water and energy are critical to the State's overall economic health; and

WHEREAS, Tons of trash, junk, and debris are annually dumped into Illinois Rivers along its banks, negatively impacting riparian wildlife, damaging both the aesthetic and biological qualities of a river; and

WHEREAS, Various state legislatures have encouraged waterway clean-up activities by designating September as River Clean Up Month; and

WHEREAS, During the month of September, water levels are usually low, temperatures are warm, and colleges and schools are in session, all of which present an educational opportunity to involve area youth and to highlight the importance of clean rivers and waterways; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare the month of September 2023 as River Clean Up Month in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage chambers of commerce, convention and visitors bureaus, local economic development organizations, area groups and associations, and local schools and colleges to organize and coordinate local cleanup activities along portions of rivers and waterways in their area; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the State of Illinois is encouraged to promote September as River Clean Up Month.