SR1394 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1394 LRB100 20396 MST 35714 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Monmouth was the lifelong home of internationally renowned illusionist William Mozart Nicol, also known as The Great Nicola; and

WHEREAS, The Great Nicola was a talented inventor and showman who devised innovative apparatuses in his Monmouth workshop that inspired the grand stage illusions performed by today's most celebrated magicians; and

WHEREAS, The Great Nicola's extensive world travels delivered goodwill in the form of a popular American entertainment to the far reaches of civilization; and

WHEREAS, The Great Nicola's collecting of exotic animals for zoos and production of travel films with his partner helped educate the Western world about the natural wonders and civilizations of Asia and Africa; and

WHEREAS, The Great Nicola and his brother, The Great Chalbert, learned their craft from their father, a Scottish immigrant known as Nicoli the Great, demonstrating that immigration contributes to the enrichment of the cultural fabric of the United States; and

WHEREAS, The Great Nicola was an internationally known celebrity who, despite touring world capitals and befriending royalty, chose to maintain his primary residence in rural Illinois, which he believed offered a quality of life lacking in metropolitan centers; and

WHEREAS, Monmouth is the burial place of The Great Nicola, his magician father and brother, and his pet elephant, Nizie, used in one of Nicola's most famous stage illusions; and

WHEREAS, Monmouth is developing a professionally curated museum, celebrating and interpreting the rich history of Western Illinois and the innovators, such as The Great Nicola; and

WHEREAS, The Warren County History Museum maintains in its collection artifacts associated with The Great Nicola, and through an annual event known as The Great Nicola Magic Festival, they provide educational programming and entertainment celebrating the history and art of magic; and

WHEREAS, The Great Nicola Magic Festival will enhance tourism opportunities in Illinois and contribute to the economic development of Western Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we wish The Great Nicola Magic Festival organizers success in their efforts to create and sustain an annual festival celebrating the legacy of The Great Nicola and the craft he helped popularize; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we declare April 21, 2018 as "Magic Day in Monmouth"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the City of Monmouth and the Warren County History Museum.