Full Text of HR1029 97th General Assembly
HR1029 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY |
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| 1 | | HOUSE RESOLUTION
| 2 | | WHEREAS, Endangered Species Day is celebrated by many | 3 | | states, such as Texas, Florida, Tennessee, and California; the | 4 | | day is dedicated to bringing awareness and helping endangered | 5 | | species in our country; this year, Endangered Species Day will | 6 | | take place on May 18, 2012; and
| 7 | | WHEREAS, The people of the State of Illinois recognize that | 8 | | a healthy environment is an integral part of Illinois' economy, | 9 | | society, and culture; and
| 10 | | WHEREAS, The alligator snapping turtle is the largest | 11 | | freshwater turtle in North America, and helps to control fish | 12 | | populations everywhere; as of 2006, the alligator snapping | 13 | | turtle was listed as an endangered species, while being an | 14 | | important part of Illinois' ecosystem; and
| 15 | | WHEREAS, There are roughly 450 endangered species other | 16 | | than the alligator snapping turtle, including 18 species of | 17 | | fish, 3 species of amphibians, 8 species of reptiles, 26 | 18 | | species of birds, 5 species of mammals, 37 species of | 19 | | invertebrates, and 251 species of plants; these numbers do not | 20 | | include threatened animals; and
| 21 | | WHEREAS, Despite this vast list of endangered species, the |
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| 1 | | State of Illinois does not recognize an Endangered Species Day; | 2 | | by bringing awareness to the entire State and putting emphasis | 3 | | on youth-organized campaigns, a recognized awareness day could | 4 | | aid in preventing further damage done to our environment; and
| 5 | | WHEREAS, As stated in Article 11 of the Illinois | 6 | | Constitution, "The public policy of the State and the duty of | 7 | | each person is to provide and maintain a healthful environment | 8 | | for the benefit of this and future generations. The General | 9 | | Assembly shall provide by law for the implementation and | 10 | | enforcement of this public policy."; and
| 11 | | WHEREAS, The members of this body have an obligation to our | 12 | | children and to future generations to be influential leaders of | 13 | | our atmosphere and to pave an affirmative path of stewardship | 14 | | in protecting endangered species and their habitats; and
| 15 | | WHEREAS, By placing more emphasis on the importance of | 16 | | preserving our environment, youth in general would become more | 17 | | educated on the consequences and future problems caused by | 18 | | neglecting our earth now; focusing on these issues would help | 19 | | instill responsibility, leadership, humanitarianism, and | 20 | | consideration in students in Illinois; and
| 21 | | WHEREAS, The obliteration of a species and their habitat is | 22 | | a severe hazard to our own society, as nature is the foundation |
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| 1 | | of our most frequently-prescribed medicines; the loss of a | 2 | | species could result in the loss of life-saving drugs; and
| 3 | | WHEREAS, The members of this body have the responsibility | 4 | | to utilize the finest technology accessible to ensure the | 5 | | protection against the extinction of many valued creatures and | 6 | | to guarantee their availability for all needs to future | 7 | | generations; and | 8 | | WHEREAS, For over 30 years, the Endangered Species Act has | 9 | | served as the nation's safety net for wildlife, saving hundreds | 10 | | of plants and animals for extinction, putting hundreds more on | 11 | | the path to recovery, and safeguarding the habitats on which | 12 | | they all depend; therefore, be it
| 13 | | RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE | 14 | | NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that | 15 | | we pledge to uphold the nation's standards of the Endangered | 16 | | Species Act and continue to take all appropriate action to | 17 | | protect our plants and wildlife and the places that they live, | 18 | | in honor of Operation Endangered Species and the Alligator | 19 | | Snapping Turtle project at Pontiac Township High School; and be | 20 | | it further
| 21 | | RESOLVED, That we designate the date of May 18, 2012 as | 22 | | Endangered Species Day in the State of Illinois in furtherance |
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| 1 | | of this goal.
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