SPRINGFIELD – State Rep. Dave Severin (R-Benton) has passed a congratulatory resolution in honor of Mulkeytown resident Rose Leedle for being elected as the first female President of the Illinois Beekeeper’s Association. Severin rose on the House floor on Monday, March 28 for a point of personal privilege acknowledging Women’s History Month and congratulating Leedle on her election.
“Rose’s election as the first female President of the Illinois Beekeeper’s Association has caused quite a buzz in the industry and back in the 117th district,” Severin said. “I am proud during this Women’s History Month to honor a resident of my district that contributes greatly to the cause of agriculture and educating residents on the importance of honey bees to our ecosystem.”
The IL Beekeeper’s Association has been in operation since 1891, with Leedle being elected earlier this year as it’s first female President. HR 737 passed on a previous Session day. The entire resolution can be found below.
House Resolution 737 – 102nd General Assembly
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives recognize that the month of March is Women’s History Month and wish to highlight the accomplishments of women in our state; and
WHEREAS, Rose Leedle has been selected to serve as president of the Illinois State Beekeepers Association for 2022, making her the first female to be elected in this leadership role; and
WHEREAS, The Illinois State Beekeepers Association was organized in 1891; over the past 131 years, the association has developed a strong working relationship with local beekeeping associations throughout the State and the Illinois Department of Agriculture and has made positive contributions to the agricultural sector throughout the State of Illinois; and
WHEREAS, Rose Leedle is the owner and operator of Leedle-Houme Bees, located at 2713 State Highway 14 in Mulkeytown in the 117th district in Southern Illinois, a region which is home to some of the richest agricultural products in the country; and
WHEREAS, Rose Leedle operates Leedle-Houme Bees as a family-owned business alongside her husband, Doug Leedle, and their three sons, Josh, Andy, and Matt; with her family, she conducts beekeeping classes in the area and in their bee yard; and
WHEREAS, Rose Leedle loves teaching others about the necessity of bees and the art of beekeeping; therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Rose Leedle on the occasion of her election as the first female president of the Illinois State Beekeepers Association; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we commend the Illinois State Beekeepers Association and all beekeeping operations in the State of Illinois for their significant contributions to the betterment of agriculture in our state; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Rose Leedle as an expression of our esteem and respect.
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