SJ0001 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0001 LRB103 05198 MST 50214 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The U.S. Army became the first established branch of the United States military on June 14, 1775, and millions of men and women have served their country since then; and

WHEREAS, To honor and compensate veterans of the War of 1812, the United States government provided soldiers with land grants for the land between the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers, which drove the initial settlement of the "Bounty Land" of Illinois, bringing veterans to Quincy even before the city was formally organized; and

WHEREAS, Even in its earliest days, Quincy's veterans assisted the State in quelling the Blackhawk Indian unrest and brought peace to the Moorman settlement in Nauvoo; and

WHEREAS, Thousands of Quincyans fought in the Civil War to preserve the Union and to end slavery, and in every military conflict since, Quincy's sons and daughters have served their State and nation in all branches of the military with honor and distinction; and

WHEREAS, Upon returning home from their assigned duties, these same sons and daughters devoted themselves to building those institutions of government, church, and school to preserve Quincy's rich heritage; and

WHEREAS, The City of Quincy has had a profound connection to the men and women who served this country since 1886 with the construction of the Illinois Soldiers and Sailors Home; the city's connection to military veterans continues to grow through programs such as the Great River Honor Flight, Fishing for Freedom, and the Tri-State Warrior Outreach; and

WHEREAS, Military veterans have been an important part of Quincy from its founding to today; the tenets of freedom that are enshrined in the U.S. Constitution remain rights held dearly and cultivated by its residents today; and

WHEREAS, This veteran heritage has ensured that the many natural wonders that surround Quincy, such as the forests and rivers, the fertile lowlands, and the bluffs, continue to provide in abundance the outdoor experiences that originally drew the city's forefathers to this land; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that we declare the City of Quincy as "Veterans City" for the biennium of 2023 and 2024; and be it further

RESOLVED, That military veterans are held in the highest regard for their service and their sacrifice in Quincy; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the Mayor of Quincy and the residents of the Illinois Veterans' Home at Quincy.