HR0083LRB101 10659 MST 55767 r


  
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives wish to congratulate Jim and Nancy Reynolds on 
4owning and operating the 157-acres Freedom Hill Farms near 
5Watseka for more than three decades; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, Jim Reynolds has worked as a college professor at 
7Eastern Illinois University and as a high school math and 
8physics teacher; under Governor Edgar, he served as the 
9Director of Fairs and Promotions for the Illinois Department of 
10Agriculture; however, he has always been enthusiastic about 
11standardbred horse racing; and
  
 
12    WHEREAS, Jim Reynolds was first introduced to horses in the 
13second grade, when he was given his first pony; his interest 
14remained throughout high school, and he spent time riding bulls 
15as an amateur rodeo performer; he later became a driver and 
16piloted more than 250 horses to the winner's circle; in 1979, 
17he was granted a year's leave of absence from Eastern, and he 
18and Nancy purchased the farm; along with their two children, 
19Keith and Kristopher, the pair has raised countless harness 
20horses, many of which have competed in races across the 
21country; and
  
 
22    WHEREAS, Jim Reynolds was also successful as a trainer, 
 
 
HR0083- 2 -LRB101 10659 MST 55767 r

1especially with the filly, Street Dancer, who earned more than 
2$860,000 in her career; and
  
 
3    WHEREAS, In recent years, Jim Reynolds has moved more into 
4breeding, and Freedom Hills has grown into one of the largest 
5breeding farms in the State of Illinois; the farm houses 38 
6mares and 25 foals; and
  
 
7    WHEREAS, Jim Reynolds is active in his local community as 
8well; he has served on the board of the Iroquois County 
9Community Unit School District and was elected Director of the 
10U.S. Trotting Association District 5 (Illinois) in 2010; 
11therefore, be it
  
 
12    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
13HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
14we congratulate Jim and Nancy Reynolds on their successes with 
15Freedom Hill Farms, and we admire their hard work and 
16dedication; we wish them many more successful years; and be it 
17further
  
 
18    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
19presented to Jim and Nancy Reynolds as an expression of our 
20esteem and respect.