SJ0046 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0046 LRB099 20964 MST 45931 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois recognizes the role of equines in the economy, history, viewscape, and character of Illinois - from the horses our forefathers used to settle the prairie and build our great State, transport people and goods, clear and till land, harvest and thresh grains, herd cattle, power our mills, pull our barges, serve in our military, fight our fires, and deliver our mail; to the horses of today who assist in police crowd control, provide therapeutic aid to veterans and disabled persons, and still work our farms; horses are used for pleasure riding, and for our enjoyment at race tracks such as Arlington Park, Hawthorne, and Fairmont Park; and

WHEREAS, There are equine properties of all sizes in Illinois, including breeding farms, boarding and training facilities, riding schools, small acreage farmettes, showgrounds, and equine-based therapy centers; and

WHEREAS, Equine operations encompass thousands of acres, representing a significant part of our land kept in open space, pasture and forestland; and

WHEREAS, Horses are a source of Illinois jobs and income for thousands of residents both directly and indirectly, including services such as veterinarians, trainers, farriers, chiropractors, grooms, stable hands, entertainers, carriage/sleigh/hay wagon drivers, jockeys, and sellers of goods such as lumber, hay, grain, grass seed, bedding, tack, trucks, horse trailers, and more; and

WHEREAS, The Horsemen's Council of Illinois helps promote and educate the public about the importance of horses in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, The equine industry brings significant benefits to Illinois agriculture, tourism, and our quality of life; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that we urge the citizens of Illinois to recognize the importance of horses to our security, economy, recreation, and heritage, and to lend their enthusiastic support to the Illinois equine industry; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we declare December 13, 2016 as "Illinois Day of the Horse"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Horsemen's Council of Illinois as a symbol of our respect and esteem.