Jacksonville Journal Courier
Congressmen Darin LaHood and Raja Krishnamoorthi have introduced a resolution to designate an area within the River Terrace Area of Anacostia Park in Washington, D.C. as the “Illinois Bicentennial Grove,” where four white oak trees have been planted.
As the state tree of Illinois, the white oaks have been planted in honor of four prominent abolitionists from the Land of Lincoln — Edward Coles, Mary Brown Davis and Elijah and Owen Lovejoy. The legislation allows for additional trees to be planted in the grove.
LaHood and Krishnamoorthi serve as Illinois State Society co-chairs and have worked closely with the National Park Service on this initiative. The legislation is co-sponsored by the entire Illinois delegation.
Earlier this month, LaHood and Krishnamoorthi introduced legislation to celebrate Illinois’ bicentennial, which is this year.
