HR0485 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0485 LRB095 12331 GRL 37027 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are honored to recognize significant milestones in the lives of the families of this State; and

WHEREAS, Members of the Welch-Downs family had settled in McLean County, Illinois and in 1882 two daughters of William Welch came to Illinois from their home in Kansas to visit their family; before their return, the family met at the farm home of Lawson Downs Welch for a dinner to bid the visitors farewell and Godspeed on their return trip; during that day it was decided to continue these gatherings; and

WHEREAS, The Welch-Downs family of McLean County, Illinois has continued to hold an annual family reunion each year since 1882; and

WHEREAS, Members of this family have contributed to the social fabric of Central Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Members of this family has been active in their churches; and

WHEREAS, Members of this family and have worked in numerous jobs, including farming; in fact, many family members have learned the true meaning of hard work detasseling corn and/or "walking" soybean fields; and

WHEREAS, Members of this family have proudly served in different capacities in the Armed Forces of the United States to defend our freedoms; and

WHEREAS, While some family members have moved away from Illinois, many members of the family still reside in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, The annual reunion draws family members that have moved away back to Illinois to visit; and

WHEREAS, The Welch Downs family will celebrate its 125th annual reunion during the third weekend of August 2007, culminating with a traditional family picnic to be held at Dooley Park in Downs, Illinois, on August 19, 2007; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Welch-Downs family on the occasion of their 125th annual reunion and their contribution to the social fabric of Illinois, and we extend to them our sincere best wishes for the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Welch-Downs family.