SR0793 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0793 LRB100 13498 MST 28239 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Edward H. Schmitt of Aurora, who passed away on July 7, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Edward Schmitt was born in Chicago to Henry P. and Anne Kemp Schmitt on August 26, 1925; he graduated from Hyde Park High School in 1943; and

WHEREAS, Edward Schmitt enlisted in the United States Army on his 18th birthday; he was part of the Fifth Division and saw combat in World War II from the landing on Omaha beach until the end of the war; his unit fought in Northern France at Normandy and in the Battle of Metz; he also fought in the Battle of the Bulge; his division was the first of the Allied troops to cross the Rhine River on March 7, 1945, and in May of 1945, they entered Czechoslovakia and liberated the Mauthausen Gusen concentration camp; he was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, two Bronze Star Medals, two Purple Heart Medals, and the Medal of Metz; and

WHEREAS, After returning from the war, Ed Schmitt moved to Aurora and managed a farm in Sugar Grove for five years; he graduated from DePaul University in 1952 and married Marie Clare Collins on August 23, 1952; in 1964, he started his career with the McDonald's Corporation as an executive manager trainee; in 1968, he became vice president of the Chicago region; that same year, he awarded the first African American franchise to Herman Petty in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Edward Schmitt moved the regional office from Chicago to Oak Brook and the headquarters would follow a few years later; in 1977, he became president of the McDonald's Corporation; he is credited with the development and national launch of McDonald's breakfast menu; he also expanded drive-thru service from one restaurant in Texas to across the nation; he awarded the first Hispanic franchise in Nogales, Arizona and promoted Sandy Brooks, the first woman vice president outside of Ray Kroc's secretary; he helped to build the first Ronald McDonald House in Philadelphia and make it McDonald's national charity; in 1982, he was elected to the position of vice chairman; in that role, he traveled organizing the structure for the company's expansion around the globe; in April of 1986, he resigned to become a franchisee in Aurora with his sons Ed Jr. and Richard; he remained involved into his 80s, working behind the counter waiting on customers; and

WHEREAS, Edward Schmitt served on the boards of the Old Second National Bank of Aurora, the Aurora Civic Authority, the Paramount Arts Center, the Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital, the Provena Medical Center (now Presence), and was chair of the board of trustees of Benedictine University in Lisle; he was instrumental in the relocation and building of Aurora Central Catholic High School; he was a member of Holy Angels Parish for 71 years; and

WHEREAS, Edward Schmitt was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Robert; and

WHEREAS, Edward Schmitt is survived by his wife of 64 years, Marie Clare; his children, Ed Jr. (Mary) and Richard (Corinne); his grandchildren, Edward III, Sarah Schmitt Fruy (Jay), and Evan and Alec Schmitt; his great-grandson, Hunter Fruy; and many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Edward H. Schmitt, and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Edward Schmitt as an expression of our deepest sympathy.