HR0207 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0207 LRB099 06813 GRL 26887 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The City of Murphysboro has fostered a culture of BBQ for over 75 years; and

WHEREAS, The Travel Channel named Murphysboro as one of 8 "BBQ Paradise" locations in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Murphysboro is home to the Annual "Praise the Lard" BBQ Cook-Off, which is sanctioned by the Memphis Barbeque Network and the Kansas City Barbeque Society; for 27 years, the "Praise the Lard" BBQ Cook-Off has attracted thousands of BBQ teams to Murphysboro from points across the globe; and

WHEREAS, Murphysboro is home to numerous active and vibrant BBQ restaurants, including the 17th Street Bar and Grill and Pat's Barbeque; and

WHEREAS, Those restaurants are respectively owned by Mike Mills and Pat Burke, both members of the prestigious Barbeque Hall of Fame and residents of Murphysboro; and

WHEREAS, Pat Burke has competed in over 255 BBQ contests and has taken home 185 grand championships, more than any living person; and

WHEREAS, Mike Mills is affectionately known as "The Legend", having won 4 World Championships and 3 Grand World Championships at the Memphis in May "Super Bowl of Swine"; and

WHEREAS, Murphysboro has previously been home to such BBQ establishments as Whitt's BBQ, Brown's BBQ, Big Charlie's BBQ, Kilby's BBQ, and many others; it is also home to Cairo BBQ Sauce, produced by the Killebrew Supply Company in Murphysboro; and

WHEREAS, Murphysboro is the home of dozens of BBQ teams that compete locally, regionally, and nationally; and

WHEREAS, All of these facts have contributed greatly to the economic development of Murphysboro and the entire State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we designate the City of Murphysboro as the BBQ Capital of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the people of the City of Murphysboro as a symbol of our esteem and respect.