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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, 50 years ago, in 1966, a tradition began among
3families and friends in Southern Illinois after planting had
4been completed and before harvest time rolled around, when they
5would gather to camp and ride horses throughout all of the
6trails in the area; and
 
7    WHEREAS, This family-oriented tradition has continued
8today, and over 1,500 campers and 1,700 visitors now attend the
9event every year with more and more people participating; the
10tradition has spread to horseback trail riders throughout the
11southern region of Illinois and the neighboring states; and
 
12    WHEREAS, This all volunteer event is conducted on private
13ground in Pope County owned by the Francis Family, with trail
14riding in the adjoining beauty of the Shawnee National Forest
15managed by the United States Forest Service; and
 
16    WHEREAS, This tradition, now known as the Nine-Day Trail
17Ride, has become an important event for the citizens of
18Southern Illinois; various saddle clubs across the region have
19come together to form the Associated Saddle Clubs of Illinois
20in order to support the event; and
 
21    WHEREAS, The organizers of the Nine-Day Trail Ride in the

 

 

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1Shawnee National Forest enjoy a great working relationship with
2many governmental entities that support the recreational
3opportunities offered by the event, entities that include the
4United States Forest Service, the Southeastern Illinois
5Electric Cooperative, the Pope County Sheriff's Department,
6the Hardin County Sheriff's Department, and the Pope County
7Ambulance Association; and
 
8    WHEREAS, The Nine-Day Trail Ride annually contributes to
9charitable organizations, including Wounded Warriors, the
10American Cancer Society, and St. Jude Children's Hospital, by
11organizing annual charity rides, auctions, and fundraisers,
12where many items are donated by local businesses and
13organizations throughout Southern Illinois; and
 
14    WHEREAS, The Nine-Day Trail Ride draws thousands of
15visitors every year to enjoy the recreational opportunities
16offered by the Shawnee National Forest and the Nine-Day Trail
17Ride Association, resulting in a significant economic boost to
18the surrounding areas; and
 
19    WHEREAS, The Nine-Day Trail Ride in the Shawnee National
20Forest is being celebrated from the last weekend of July
21through the first weekend of August of 2016; it commemorates
22the 50th anniversary of the Nine-Day Trail Ride; therefore, be
23it
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
2NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
3recognize the Associated Saddle Clubs of Southern Illinois and
4all of its members for its continued support of the Nine-Day
5Trail Ride and in honor of the 50th anniversary; and be it
6further
 
7    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
8presented to the Associated Saddle Clubs of Southern Illinois
9as an expression of our appreciation for its continued support
10of a long-standing tradition in one of Illinois' most beautiful
11natural treasures.