2015-47 DESIGNATING LOCAL LANDMARK FOR MONARCH BUTTERFLY MONUMENT AT DENNIS SCHOOL

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�r.::��:3:�::`: :;Z�:''+� ::) :=:r' ! •l:::::�1:�1l1�� We want Dennis Lab School's Monarch Butterfly Monument to be considered a landmark for the city of l�ecatur. 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 Monaxch �3�tterfly a state insect. This was the first time in Illinois history that children proposed a bill to the Illinois Congress, and the proposal became a ��,w. We believe that the monument shouid become a landmark because we have great history. Mrs. Hinman's class wor�ed very hard to get the Monarch to become the state insect. Miss Hinman asked State Representative Webber Borche�s to spc>nsor 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 st�dents were able to go to Springfield to watch Governor Dan Walker sign the bill into a law. In 1985, the entire Dennis �chool was asked to create clay tiles under the direction of artist Larry Wetherholt. The tiles were colored orange, black, white, and yellow. The tiies 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, �urided by our PTA, designed by artist Larry Wetherholt, and created by Dennis children has been placed on the southeast corner wall, May 1986, for all to enjoy. The Monarch Butterfly Monumer�t is a great treasure to the comtnunity. We are p�oud of Den�is School's accomplishments, and we want them recognized. The Mo�arch �u�te�fly 1V�o��nent should be a landmark.