SR0626 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0626 LRB104 20847 RMO 34445 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are pleased to congratulate the DeGeratto family and Buddy Bear Car Wash on the City of Chicago designating "Buddy Bear Way" as an honorary street name at 5400 West Chicago Avenue at Lotus Avenue, the original site of the first Buddy Bear Food Center; and

WHEREAS, The honorary designation recognizes the enduring legacy of Phillip "Papa Bear" DeGeratto and Phillip "Buddy Bear" DeGeratto, whose lives and work exemplified dedication to family, faith, entrepreneurship, and community service on Chicago's West Side; and

WHEREAS, The DeGeratto family has lived and worked on Chicago's West Side for nearly a century, serving as lifelong residents, business owners, and community leaders whose commitment has strengthened neighborhoods and uplifted generations of residents; and

WHEREAS, Phillip "Papa Bear" DeGeratto and Phillip "Buddy Bear" DeGeratto founded and operated Big Bear Foods, Buddy Bear Finer Foods, and Buddy Bear Car Wash, businesses that became anchors in their communities and models of locally rooted entrepreneurship; and

WHEREAS, Through nearly 70 years of community engagement, the DeGeratto family has created jobs, supported local hiring initiatives, and advocated for food security, public safety, youth employment, and reentry employment opportunities for returning citizens; and

WHEREAS, The DeGeratto family's businesses and family foundation have sponsored schools, youth programs, community events, and neighborhood initiatives, and thousands of residents have benefited from their employment opportunities, mentorship, and generosity; and

WHEREAS, The DeGeratto family has been honored over the years by local alderpersons, school councils, and neighborhood organizations in recognition of their sustained civic involvement and charitable contributions; and

WHEREAS, The proposed installation of the honorary street sign at or near 5400 West Chicago Avenue at Lotus Avenue, marking the location of the first Buddy Bear Food Center, ensures that this multigenerational legacy will be permanently recognized in the very community it helped build; and

WHEREAS, This honorary designation was nominated and sponsored by Alderwoman Emma Mitts, who worked alongside the DeGeratto family in professional and community capacities for more than 20 years and witnessed firsthand their unwavering commitment to Chicago's West Side; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor the memory and legacy of Phillip "Papa Bear" DeGeratto and Phillip "Buddy Bear" DeGeratto and commend Buddy Bear Car Wash and the DeGeratto family for their extraordinary and lasting contributions to the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the DeGeratto family and to Buddy Bear Car Wash as a symbol of our respect, admiration, and esteem.