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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the
3 State of Illinois are pleased to congratulate the City of
4 Arcola on the occasion of its 15th Annual Original Raggedy Ann &
5 Andy Festival; and
 
6     WHEREAS, The legacy of Arcola native Johnny Gruelle is
7 celebrated during the annual festival; Arcola is the birthplace
8 of Johnny Gruelle, who created Raggedy Ann and Andy, the
9 red-haired dolls that have helped brighten the lives of
10 children for decades; and
 
11     WHEREAS, Each year, the festival brings a vast array of
12 visitors to Arcola from across the globe, with doll collectors
13 and others increasingly drawn to Raggedy Ann and Andy in recent
14 years, the festival continues to grow; merchants of Raggedy Ann
15 and Andy items offer their wares along the streets and in the
16 Arcola Center during the festival, attracting a large gathering
17 of collectors; and
 
18     WHEREAS, Each year, over 25,000 people visit Arcola for
19 Raggedy Ann & Andy related activities; and
 
20     WHEREAS, The festival begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 21,
21 2004 with a Country Picnic Dinner; other festivities include
22 the 4th Annual Raggedy Ann & Andy Walk on Saturday, May 22,
23 2004, entertainment, a book signing, a street dance, the Annual
24 Raggedy Ann Parade, a Circus Tea Party, and a Sunday Brunch;
25 and
 
26     WHEREAS, Arcola is home to the Raggedy Ann & Andy Museum,
27 where the spirit of the dolls is brought to life in dozens of
28 displays with help from some of Johnny Gruelle's descendants;
29 and
 

 

 

HR0953 - 2 - LRB093 22105 HSS 50939 r

1     WHEREAS, The Raggedy Ann & Andy Festival offers the largest
2 collection of Raggedy Ann merchandise at one place in the
3 world; therefore, be it
 
4     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
5 NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
6 congratulate the City of Arcola on the occasion of its 15th
7 Annual Original Raggedy Ann & Andy Festival; and be it further
 
8     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
9 presented to the City of Arcola as an expression of our esteem.