HR0117

LRB095 11207 KXB 31612 r






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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, Worldwide exposure to chemical pesticides brings 
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about greater harm
than most people realize; and

 
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    WHEREAS, More than 3 billion kilograms of pesticides are 
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spread on the earth
annually, exposing both human and wildlife 
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populations to chemicals, with
potentially serious 
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repercussions for life everywhere; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Our children are uniquely vulnerable to chemical 
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pesticides due to
their developing  physiology and to their 
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habit of frequently putting their
hands into their mouths; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Chemical pesticides applied outdoors are washed 
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into our waterways
and our drinking water sources; several 
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types of cancer, neurological
diseases, endocrine disorders, 
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and birth defects have all been associated
with exposure to 
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common pesticides; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Pregnant women, children, asthmatics, cancer 
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patients, the elderly, and
other immune compromised people and 
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migratory birds are all highly
vulnerable to toxic effects of 
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chemical pesticides; and

 
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    WHEREAS, More than 40 years ago, the well-known writer, 
 


 






HR0117
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LRB095 11207 KXB 31612 r




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scientist, and
ecologist Rachel Carson alerted America and the 
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world to the potential
hazards of pesticides in her landmark 
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book, Silent Spring; despite the
warning, the quantity of 
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pesticides used in our country has continued to
grow over the 
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years and poses a potential threat to all life forms; 
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therefore, be it

 

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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we  
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proclaim May 27, 2007 as Rachel Carson Day throughout the State 
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of Illinois in honor of her
prophetic work, and urge the 
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citizens of the State of Illinois to focus their
attention on 
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the potentially serious hazards associated with chemical

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pesticides; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That we invite citizens
throughout the State of 
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Illinois to observe this day, the birth date of Rachel
Carson, 
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by refraining from using chemical pesticides on this day and 
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ask the
citizens of the State of Illinois for their cooperation 
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in seeking alternative
methods of pest management.