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1
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, On March 20, 2018, the Zion City Council named 
3the zinnia as the official flower of Zion; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Zinnias hold historical significance, as the 
5founders of Zion planted zinnias in front of the Shiloh House, 
6a mansion that was built in 1901 and was the residence of 
7Zion's founder, Dr. John Alexander Dowie; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Zion officials and residents are proud to call 
9the zinnia their official flower, connecting the city's rich 
10heritage to the founders; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Zion encourages its residents to plant zinnias 
12around town to beautify the community; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Zinnias represent joy and prosperity as each dead 
14flower produces new seeds, inspiring and motivating the 
15community to continue to grow more and more zinnias; and
 
16    WHEREAS, The zinnia comes in a variety of colors and 
17sizes, symbolizing Zion's greatest asset, its diversity; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Planting zinnias adds to a resident's quality of 
19life as gardening reduces stress and gives residents and 
 
 
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1visitors alike a reason to enjoy the outdoors; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Zion became a Monarch City on April 6, 2021 and is 
3dedicated to caring for and celebrating monarchs, hosting an 
4annual Zinnia & Monarch Festival; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Zinnias provide a great source of nectar for 
6monarch butterflies; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Businesses and individuals are adopting locations 
8to plant zinnias around the community and are encouraging 
9residents to plant them at their homes; therefore, be it
 
10    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL 
11ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF 
12REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that declare the City of 
13Zion as the 2024 Zinnia Capital of Illinois; and be it further
 
14    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
15presented to the City of Zion.