HR0177 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0177 LRB100 11658 MST 22517 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Bruce Morgenstern recently completed illustrious career in the Illinois wine industry, which included thousands of hours devoted to serving on the board of the Illinois Grape Growers & Vintners Association, and helping to lead the association and its members through turbulent times; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Morgenstern is a native son of Illinois; he was born in Du Quoin in 1955 and graduated from Pinckneyville High School in 1973 and Rend Lake Community College in 1975 with an Associate's Degree in Applied Science in Agriculture Mechanics; he graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 1986 with a bachelor's degree in plant and soil science; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Morgenstern's passion for making wine started around 1985 with a jug in his basement and his friend Bill Needham; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Morgenstern's wine business took root and grew splendidly into the Pheasant Hollow Winery, which was opened on July 4, 1999, offering six varieties of wine and producing about 8,000 gallons of wine a year; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Morgenstern's passion and talent enabled Pheasant Hollow to grow into a nationally known winery with production of 34,000 gallons a year, employing five people full time and another two-dozen part-time; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Morgenstern's vision shared with other grape growers and winemakers in Illinois; it has helped the industry grow tenfold over the last 30 years; and

WHEREAS, As President of the Illinois Grape Growers & Vintners Association, Bruce Morgenstern testified numerous times in the Illinois General Assembly to encourage State support of the industry; he helped develop and advance proposals to make grape growing more environmentally compatible; he was the driving force behind numerous festivals and events which helped bring Illinois wine into the marketplace, all the while being a trusted resource for getting the most out of the grapes and making the best wine possible; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Morgenstern helped guide the Illinois wine industry through the challenging period when the ability of wineries to ship directly to consumers or distribute directly to retailers was threatened, by coming to the Capitol in Springfield to explain the issue to any legislator who would stop long enough for him to make his case, all the while encouraging others in the industry to make their voices heard; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Morgenstern has demonstrated his commitment to Illinois beyond the wine industry, as an active member of the Perry County Republican Party, including eight years as Chairman, as a member of the VESTA board, six years on the Man-Tra-Con board, and an incredible 40 years of service to the Optimist Club of Pinckneyville; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Morgenstern is the proud father of Amanda and husband to his beloved wife, Mary; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Bruce Morgenstern on being a champion for Illinois wine; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Bruce Morgenstern and his family as an expression of our esteem and respect.