SJ0054 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0054 LRB103 39785 MST 70350 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, On March 20, 2018, the Zion City Council named the zinnia as the official flower of Zion; and

WHEREAS, Zinnias hold historical significance, as the founders of Zion planted zinnias in front of the Shiloh House, a mansion that was built in 1901 and was the residence of Zion's founder, Dr. John Alexander Dowie; and

WHEREAS, Zion officials and residents are proud to call the zinnia their official flower, connecting the city's rich heritage to the founders; and

WHEREAS, Zion encourages its residents to plant zinnias around town to beautify the community; and

WHEREAS, Zinnias represent joy and prosperity as each dead flower produces new seeds, inspiring and motivating the community to continue to grow more and more zinnias; and

WHEREAS, The zinnia comes in a variety of colors and sizes, symbolizing Zion's greatest asset, its diversity; and

WHEREAS, Planting zinnias adds to a resident's quality of life as gardening reduces stress and gives residents and visitors alike a reason to enjoy the outdoors; and

WHEREAS, Zion became a Monarch City on April 6, 2021 and is dedicated to caring for and celebrating monarchs, hosting an annual Zinnia & Monarch Festival; and

WHEREAS, Zinnias provide a great source of nectar for monarch butterflies; and

WHEREAS, Businesses and individuals are adopting locations to plant zinnias around the community and are encouraging residents to plant them at their homes; 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 declare the City of Zion as the 2024 Zinnia Capital of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the City of Zion.