HR0935

LRB093 21992 KEF 51062 r






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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, In 1922, Walter Fredenhagen purchased a building 
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at 324 S. Washington Street in Naperville and ran a coal and 
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ice business that was later converted to a dairy and ice cream 
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business; and

 
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    WHEREAS, In 1931, when Naperville's population grew to 
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6,000, Walter's wife Grace interviewed applicants to manage the 
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ice cream shops he founded called "Prince Castles"; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The business known for its square scoops of ice 
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cream and "one in a million" milkshakes grew to be the second 
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largest employer in Naperville for a time; and

 
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    WHEREAS, In 1955, management began changing the names of 
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the ice cream stores to Cock Robin; and in 1967, the thriving 
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business had expanded to 25 locations and the Naperville store 
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was renamed Cock Robin Restaurant; and

 
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    WHEREAS, In 1996, Rita Harvard and Ted Fredenhagen, 
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children of Grace and Walter, contacted the city of Naperville 
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with the idea to transfer their stock in exchange for building 
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a park as a tribute to their parents for their inspiration and 
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civic contributions; and

 
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    WHEREAS, At the end of 2000, while under independent 
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management, the popular ice cream shop closed its doors; in 
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2001, the Cock Robin Sign was taken down to make way for the 
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magical development of the gateway park; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The concept for the gateway park was designed, 
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planned, and developed by the Riverwalk Commission with 
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generous support from the community through donations to the 
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Riverwalk Foundation; and

 
 


 






HR0935
- 2 -
LRB093 21992 KEF 51062 r




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    WHEREAS, Rita Harvard envisions a gathering place for the 
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community where memories are made; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The Fredenhagen Park ribbon cutting took place on 
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November 28, 2003, and the official dedication will be held May 
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22, 2004; and

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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thank Rita Harvard and Ted Fredenhagen for their most generous 
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contribution of the gateway park to the Naperville community; 
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and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to Rita Harvard and Ted Fredenhagen as a token of our 
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respect.