SJ0061LRB101 15894 MST 69209 r

1
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, It is highly fitting that the General Assembly
3pays honor and respect to those individuals who have
4contributed to the success of their community, the State, and
5to the efforts to cure childhood cancers and other pediatric
6diseases; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Beginning in 2001, Roger and Regina Landon of
8Chandlerville have organized numerous horse trail rides at the
9Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area each June
10to raise money for the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital;
11and
 
12    WHEREAS, Since 2001, horse enthusiasts from all over
13Central Illinois have been attending the Saddle-Up for St. Jude
14event to raise money for children diagnosed with cancer and
15other pediatric diseases that are being treated at St. Jude's;
16since 2001, a total of $730,000 has been raised at these events
17benefiting the children at St. Jude's Hospital; and
 
18    WHEREAS, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, located
19in Memphis, Tennessee, treats children with cancer and other
20pediatric diseases at no cost to the patients; research efforts
21are directed at understanding the molecular, genetic, and
22chemical basis of catastrophic diseases in children,

 

 

SJ0061- 2 -LRB101 15894 MST 69209 r

1identifying cures for such diseases, and promoting their
2prevention; research is focused specifically on cancers,
3acquired and inherited immunodeficiency disorders, sickle cell
4disease, infectious diseases, and genetic disorders; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Roger and Regina established these trail rides at
6Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife area to
7highlight the beautiful facets of nature found at this wildlife
8area, to raise funds for the worthy cause of St. Jude's
9Children's Research Hospital, to bring horse and fish
10enthusiasts together to enjoy the trails of this wildlife area,
11and to encourage camping at the area; and
 
12    WHEREAS, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital is
13associated with Children's Hospital of Illinois, located in
14Peoria; and
 
15    WHEREAS, It is estimated to cost nearly $1 billion to
16operate St. Jude's this year, with the majority of those funds
17coming from generous donors; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Roger and Regina Landon started Saddle Up for St.
19Jude's in 2001; their initial goal was to be more successful
20than other Saddle Up fundraisers in Illinois, which then
21averaged $3,500; for the first benefit, they acquired donations
22for the meat to be served, the side dishes, paper products, and

 

 

SJ0061- 3 -LRB101 15894 MST 69209 r

1the evening entertainment bands; the event had Sponsorship
2Tickets, where each ticket cost $100 and produced a winner for
3every 20 sold; 1st place won a Browning Silver shotgun, and the
4next winner won $400; raffle tickets for half a beef and cash
5prizes were also sold; during the weekend of the event, there
6was a silent auction, which usually generated a great deal of
7the proceeds, with all the items donated by generous friends
8and acquaintances; St. Jude's received $10,000 after the first
9benefit, and $14,000 after the second year, with the amount
10increasing each year to over $55,000 last year; St. Jude's has
11received a total of $730,000, and the goal of this year's
12benefit is to top one million dollars; this benefit is
13well-attended, not only by horse enthusiasts but also by
14interested individuals interested in supporting St. Jude's;
15and
 
16    WHEREAS, In 2012, Roger Landon received the Special Event
17Coordinator of the Year from St. Jude's, which coincided with
18the 50th anniversary for St. Jude's Children's Research
19Hospital (1962-2012); Roger and Regina attended the awards
20recognition program in Memphis, Tennessee; and
 
21    WHEREAS, Roger and Regina Landon are personally interested
22in the Jim Edgar Panther Creek Equestrian Park, not only
23because of it being the location for the St. Jude's benefit but
24also for their desire to keep the park beautiful and enticing

 

 

SJ0061- 4 -LRB101 15894 MST 69209 r

1for everyone to visit and camp; they have initiated taking care
2of the flower gardens, each year pruning and replanting shrubs
3and flowers as needed and purchasing mulch to beautify the
4gardens; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Roger and Regina Landon enjoy meeting new camp
6hosts and assisting them as they settle in their positions;
7they have a knack for making them feel comfortable with their
8new environment and duties; often, a different camp host is
9accepted for the position each year; therefore, be it
 
10    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
11ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
12CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate the equestrian campground
13within the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area
14in Chandlerville as the "Landon Equestrian Campground"; and be
15it further
 
16    RESOLVED, That the Department of Natural Resources is
17requested to erect at suitable locations, consistent with State
18and federal regulations, appropriate plaques or signs giving
19notice of the name "Landon Equestrian Campground"; and be it
20further
 
21    RESOLVED, That we commend Roger and Regina Landon on their
22distinguished volunteerism and their lifelong dedication to

 

 

SJ0061- 5 -LRB101 15894 MST 69209 r

1the people of Illinois and to preserving the natural fish and
2wildlife areas of Illinois; and be it further
 
3    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
4presented to the Director of Natural Resources and Roger and
5Regina Landon.