Hamos Visits Heartland
Pledges support to biodiesel, drives
combine during trip to Rock Island County
Special to juliehamos.org
October 7, 2003
Rep. Hamos got a glimpse into the lives of the over 955,000
residents of Illinois who make their living through agriculture
during her recent two-day trip to Rock Island. The trip was
organized by the Rock Island County Farm Bureau, as part of the
Illinois Farm Bureau’s Adopt-A-Legislator program. During the trip,
Rep. Hamos toured a biodiesel facility, saw area conservation
projects and drove a combine to help harvest soybeans at a family
farm.
“As a legislator concerned with issues facing the entire state, this
trip gave me a renewed appreciation for agricultural products that
not only support families in rural Illinois but also produce ethanol
and biodiesel as renewable energy sources,” said Hamos.
Biodiesel is a synthetic soy-based fuel that creates less harmful
emissions into the environment, such as sulfur, carbon dioxide and
particulate matter. Biodiesel either can be blended into
conventional diesel gasoline or used on its own.
“With new clean air standards that will require lower air pollution
from large diesel trucks and buses, biodeisel – using Illinois
soybeans – will become even more important,” said Hamos.
The Illinois Farm Bureau’s Adopt-A-Legislator Program provides an
opportunity to match a County Farm Bureau with a member of the
Illinois General Assembly for the purpose of building an educational
relationship. During a visit by County Farm Bureau members, urban
legislators learn about and begin to understand the challenges and
issues surrounding agriculture, the state’s largest industry, while
Farm Bureau members learn about urban districts, constituents, and
challenges and issues.
|
ROCK ISLAND–Rep. Julie Hamos climbs aboard a combine to help harvest
soybeans during a recent visit to a family farm in Rock Island
County.
Rep. Hamos stands in a field of soybeans ready for harvest during a
recent visit to Rock Island County to learn more about agricultural
issues facing Illinois farmers. |
