HR0463 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0463 LRB099 12186 GRL 34988 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Soil is a natural resource that supports major economic sectors of our State, including agriculture, forestry, and recreation; and

WHEREAS, Healthy soil filters, stores, and releases fresh water; soil management is closely linked to the water quality in our groundwater, lakes, ponds, rivers, and oceans; and

WHEREAS, Wetland soils mitigate the effects of major storms and protect our riverine ecosystems; and

WHEREAS, Soil is a living ecosystem that provides keys to scientific advances that directly affect human health, such as the development of new medicines; and

WHEREAS, Good soil management can prevent damaging erosion, loss of organic matter, soil compaction and degradation of soil structure, thereby sustaining the essential ecosystem functions performed by soils; and

WHEREAS, Soil is renewable only on the scale of geologic time, yet it supports the renewable resources upon which Illinois' future depends; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois General Assembly previously designated the Drummer soil series as our official State Soil to promote public awareness and education regarding soil resources; and

WHEREAS, 2015 has been declared the International Year of Soils by the United Nations General Assembly and has been celebrated by the Soil Science Society of America and many other organizations; and

WHEREAS, The International Year of Soils has been memorialized at www.fao.org/soils-2015; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we take the opportunity during the International Year of Soils to recognize the essential role of all of Illinois' soils in supporting a thriving Illinois economy, maintaining our strong agricultural base and a healthy environment, and ensuring a sustainable and productive future for the people of Illinois.