HR1560

LRB094 22165 KXB 60822 r






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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
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Representatives are pleased to congratulate C.H. James 
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Restaurant Holdings on the six newly remodeled Burger King 
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restaurants in Chicago, Illinois; and
 
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    WHEREAS, The Burger King restaurants hosted their grand 
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re-openings on November 29, 2006; partnering with local radio 
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stations, 107.5 FM WGCI and 92.3 FM WPWX, air personalities 
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such as Tony Sculfield, Beyonce Foxx, Trey, "The Choklit Jok", 
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Kendra G, and "The Hot Boyz" Shag and Tone, were on hand to 
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distribute prizes at the restaurants; the grand opening 
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festivities also included an appearance by Whosay, one of the 
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only African-American magicians in the Midwest, as well as 
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special performances by local high school bands and 
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cheerleaders; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Predominantly located on the south and west sides 
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of Chicago, each location is also now a hot spot for wireless 
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connectivity so that patrons can enjoy free Internet access 
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inside the stores;

 A recruiting station for people to complete 
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employment applications and meet one-on-one with hiring 
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personnel are also available at each restaurant; and

 
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    WHEREAS, C.H. James Restaurant Holdings is the largest 
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African-American Burger King franchisee;

in 2004, Charles H. 
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James III joined the Burger King system when the company 
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acquired 37 Burger King restaurants in the Chicago area; in May 
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2006, three urban stores were acquired, bringing the franchise 
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owner's total to 40 restaurants and an additional three are 
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managed on behalf of Burger King;

C.H. James Restaurant 
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Holdings, LLC is an affiliate of C.H. James and Company, which 
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is a fourth generation African-American family-owned business 
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founded by James' great-grandfather in 1883 in Charleston, West 
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Virginia; and

 
 


 






HR1560
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LRB094 22165 KXB 60822 r




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    WHEREAS, In 1992, C.H. James and Company was recognized as 
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Company of the Year by Black Enterprise magazine; in August 
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2004, James established C. H. James Restaurant Holdings, LLC in 
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an exclusive partnership with the Goldman Sachs Urban 
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Investment Group, which invests growth capital in ethnic 
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minority-owned or targeted businesses and urban real estate;


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and

 
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    WHEREAS, Named to the Black Enterprise BE 100 listing on 
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many occasions, C. H. James has serviced a high profile and 
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demanding roster of clients in the food service industry 
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including McDonald's, Yum! Brands, Darden Restaurant, and 
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Wendy's; as an 8(a) contractor, the firm has been recognized as 
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a leading supplier to the United States Department of 
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Agriculture, Department of Defense, and other government 
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agencies; and

 
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    WHEREAS, C.H. James is to be congratulated for bringing 
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employment opportunities to the State of Illinois and the City 
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of Chicago; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
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we congratulate C.H. James and Company on the grand re-opening 
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of the new Burger King restaurants; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to C.H. James Restaurant Holdings Chairman and CEO 
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Charles H. James III.