HR0336 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0336 LRB096 12562 KXB 25800 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Virginia Umberger of Elgin on the occasion of her 100th birthday; and

WHEREAS, Virginia has dedicated a large part of her life to gardening and promoting the preservation of native plants and trees; she and her husband were leaders of the Gourd Society, learning about the ancient art of growing and using gourds as art, tools, and other ideas; and

WHEREAS, She and her husband traveled the world using their knowledge on gourds; a museum in New Zealand displays writing between Virginia and a famous New Zealand botanist; and

WHEREAS, She has been a member of the Elgin Garden Club since 1950; she is a founding member of The Wild Ones and many other clubs that are dedicated to environmental issues; and

WHEREAS, Virginia has been featured in many magazine articles and is featured in the recent book, Grace from the Garden, with an entire chapter that describes her philosophy of life and how it is reflected in her work and gardening; and

WHEREAS, Virginia will celebrate the centennial of her birth on May 28, 2009; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Virginia Umberger and wish her the very best in all her future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Virginia Umberger as a symbol of our respect and esteem.