HR0318 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0318 LRB104 13527 ECR 25997 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Gaye and Susan Michael on their longtime, successful operation of Michael's Restaurant in Highland; and

WHEREAS, Gaye and Susan Michael, the third generation owners and operators of Michael's Restaurant, have been happily married for 52 years; Gaye, the son of Robert "Guy" and Joann Michael, was born on December 23, 1952, and Susan, the daughter of Edward and Josephine Kohlbrecher, was born on April 16, 1952; they wed on November 24, 1972, and they are the parents of Natalie (Jason) Martini, Susanne (Jeff) Himsel, and David (Laura) Michael and the grandparents of Sophia, Ella, Lillian, Vivian, Bennett, Josephine, Peter, and Paul; and

WHEREAS, Gaye and Susan Michael, through Michael's Restaurant, have become part of an 84-year legacy of the Michael family serving delicious food and drinks to patrons near and far; the family's first business was Michael's Recreation, which was founded by Gaye's grandparents, William and Vera Michael, in 1941; they opened a second location, Broadway Recreation, in 1952, operating both businesses until Michael's Recreation was destroyed by a fire in 1953; they stayed at their second location until they moved their business to the current location of Michael's Restaurant at 415 Broadway in 1956; and

WHEREAS, Gaye and Susan Michael eventually became official partners with Gaye's parents in the family business, with Gaye having worked there for over 65 years and Susan for over 40 years; under their leadership, Michael's Restaurant has continued to thrive as they grow and renovate the business through a number of changes, including adding an expanded lounge area, an extensive banquet space, and an outdoor gazebo and grill; and

WHEREAS, Gaye and Susan Michael, as the owners and operators of Michael's Restaurant, have left an indelible mark on the Highland community through their employment of hundreds of men and women from all walks of life; their staff members have become part of the Michael family, with Gaye and Susan often helping employees pursue professional careers in business, education, politics, and many other fields; today, they employ the children and grandchildren of many of their former employees, leading to the continued growth of the extended Michael's Restaurant family; and

WHEREAS, Gaye and Susan Michael, through Michael's Restaurant, have generously donated to and hosted fundraising events for countless nonprofit and charity organizations over the years; their annual St. Patrick's Day luncheon and auction is well-known, with its fundraising efforts supporting local youth sports organizations, including Highland's American Legion Baseball organization and the Highland Quarterback Club; in total, the Michael family has raised over half a million dollars over the 54-year history of their St. Patrick's Day event; over the generations, the family has also given funds towards supporting Highland's local schools, especially their athletic programs; and

WHEREAS, Gaye and Susan Michael have been and remain dedicated citizens of the Highland community through their involvement in several local organizations, including the Highland Rotary Club, the Highland Chamber of Commerce, Knights of Columbus, and the Highland Moose Lodge, and they are devoted to their faith and lifelong members of St. Paul Parish in Highland; and

WHEREAS, Gaye and Susan Michael have operated Michael's Restaurant with the greatest of integrity and utmost respect over the decades, and their establishment continues to be the place for patrons to celebrate life's milestones; their love for their family, their employees, and their devoted customers has caused their business to flourish, and Michael's Restaurant has been a point of pride for Highland for over three-quarters of a century; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Gaye and Susan Michael on successfully owning and operating Michael's Restaurant in Highland; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Gaye and Susan Michael as an expression of our esteem and respect.