HR0463LRB099 12186 GRL 34988 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Soil is a natural resource that supports major
3economic sectors of our State, including agriculture,
4forestry, and recreation; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Healthy soil filters, stores, and releases fresh
6water; soil management is closely linked to the water quality
7in our groundwater, lakes, ponds, rivers, and oceans; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Wetland soils mitigate the effects of major storms
9and protect our riverine ecosystems; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Soil is a living ecosystem that provides keys to
11scientific advances that directly affect human health, such as
12the development of new medicines; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Good soil management can prevent damaging
14erosion, loss of organic matter, soil compaction and
15degradation of soil structure, thereby sustaining the
16essential ecosystem functions performed by soils; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Soil is renewable only on the scale of geologic
18time, yet it supports the renewable resources upon which
19Illinois' future depends; and
 

 

 

HR0463- 2 -LRB099 12186 GRL 34988 r

1    WHEREAS, The Illinois General Assembly previously
2designated the Drummer soil series as our official State Soil
3to promote public awareness and education regarding soil
4resources; and
 
5    WHEREAS, 2015 has been declared the International Year of
6Soils by the United Nations General Assembly and has been
7celebrated by the Soil Science Society of America and many
8other organizations; and
 
9    WHEREAS, The International Year of Soils has been
10memorialized at www.fao.org/soils-2015; therefore, be it
 
11    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
12NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
13take the opportunity during the International Year of Soils to
14recognize the essential role of all of Illinois' soils in
15supporting a thriving Illinois economy, maintaining our strong
16agricultural base and a healthy environment, and ensuring a
17sustainable and productive future for the people of Illinois.