HR1214 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1214 LRB094 20322 HLH 58375 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Larry McGrogan was born in Ottawa, Illinois and has lived there his entire life; and

WHEREAS, Mr. McGrogan has owned and operated Handy Foods and the Save-a-Lot stores in Ottawa, Streator, and LaSalle for more than 40 years; and

WHEREAS, Mr. McGrogan opened his first retail grocery store, The Dairy Village, in June of 1963 as an outlet for selling Dean Milk products, and Mr. McGrogan and his wife, Bonnie, also opened Handy Foods in 1964; and

WHEREAS, Larry and Bonnie McGrogan operated both The Dairy Village and Handy Foods until they sold The Dairy Village in 1971; and

WHEREAS, Handy Foods became an Independent Grocer's Association (IGA) franchise in 1990 and currently employs approximately 120 people; and

WHEREAS, Mr. McGrogan has maintained the integrity of the business while continuing to add services and make improvements; and

WHEREAS, under Mr. McGrogan's direction, Handy Foods IGA has demonstrated its dedication to community service by regularly contributing to the local food pantry, providing disaster assistance to tornado victims, and implementing a charitable rebate program that has given back more than $700,000 to the community; and

WHEREAS, Mr. McGrogan is also active in many community organizations, including the Ottatwa Area Chamber of Commerce, the Salvation Army, the YMCA, and the United Way and has received numerous distinguished community awards, including Outstanding Citizen of the Year from the Ottawa Elks; and

WHEREAS, on February 12, at the IGA's global summit, Mr. McGrogran was recognized by the IGA as one of 6 retailers worldwide whose "hometown proud" spirit and leadership merit being named as a 2006 International Retailer of the Year, an award that is given to retailers who demonstrate leadership in their communities and throughout the IGA system; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Larry McGrogan on being named as an IGA 2006 International Retailer of the Year and recognize his many contributions to the community of Ottawa; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Larry McGrogan as an expression of our respect and esteem.