2015-21 DESIGNATING LOCAL LANDMARK - DENNIS SCHOOL MONARCH BUTTERFLY MONUMENT

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i i persuasive Essav to tlae Commission We want Dennis Lab School's Monarch Butterfly Monument to be considered a landmark for the city of Decatur. Almost 40 years ago the third grade class of 1974-75 made history on the site by proposing a bill to Congress to make the Monarch Butterfly a state insect. This was the 3 first time in Illinois history that children proposed a bill to the Illinois Congress, and the proposal became a law. i We believe that the monument should become a landmark because we have great history. Mrs. Hinman's class worked very hard to get the Monarch to become the state insect. Miss Hinman. asked State Representative Webber Borchers to sponsor the bill. The students made - - - - several trips to Springfield to.convince the General Assembly that the Monarch Butterfly should be the state insect. This accomplishment was completed by children of Decatur. The students were able to go to Springfield to watch Governor Dan Walker sign the bill into a law. In 1985, the entire Dennis School.was asked to crenate clay tiles under the direction of artist Larry Wetherholt. The tiles were colored orange, black, white,and yellow. The tiles were then arranged into the shape of the Monarch Butterfly. To celebrate the diamond jubilee of Dennis School and in tribute to Miss Mary Hinman and her third grade ! class who in 1974-75 first proposed making the official state insect of Illinois, this ceramic Monarch, funded by our PTA, designed by artist Larry Wetherholt, and created by Dennis children has been placed on the southeast corner wall, May 1985, for all to enjoy. The Monarch Butterfly Monument is a great treasure to the community. We are proud of Dennis School's accomplishments, and we want them recognized. The Monarch 13p�te#jy MonWe t should be a landmark. j