HR0077

LRB096 11054 KXB 21372 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 Sam Minkus of 
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Chicago on the occasion of his 100th birthday, March 9, 2009; 
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and

 
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    WHEREAS, He was born March 9, 1909 in Zhitomer, Russia and 
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emigrated to Winnipeg, Canada in 1914; he came to Chicago  in 
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1920; and

 
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    WHEREAS, He married Lillian Wein of Chicago in 1942; he was 
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a Private First Class in the United States Army, stationed in 
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El Paso,
Texas and Orlando, Florida during World War II; and

 
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    WHEREAS, He taught Lightweight and Welterweight Champion 
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Barney Ross how to
fight; he refereed boxing matches at the 
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Chicago YMCA and Chicago Catholic League
basketball games when 
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legendary DePaul Blue Demon basketball coach Ray Meyer played; 
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and

 
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    WHEREAS, He sold venetian blinds and opened up a small 
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factory on the
near north side of Chicago; he worked in the 
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luggage industry at Singer Better Built
Luggage and later 
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became the plant manager for Everwear Incorporated, the

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manufacturer of the original Trav-L-Bar from 1957 until 1984, 
 


 






HR0077
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LRB096 11054 KXB 21372 r




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when he
retired at
the age of 75; and

 
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    WHEREAS, He has lived on Winthrop Avenue, Glenwood Avenue, 
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and Winston Towers on
Kedzie Avenue in Chicago; he was an 
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active member of Congregation B’nai Zion in
Chicago; he played 
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golf until he was 90 and drove until he was 94; he will 
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celebrate with his children,

Paul and Sherry Minkus

and Loren 
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and Gayle Minkus; his grandchildren, Michelle, Jamie, Ellie,  
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and Aaron; and his great-grandchildren,

Lilly
and Lilah; 
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therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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congratulate Sam Minkus on his centennial birthday celebration 
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and wish him good health and fortune for the future; and be it 
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further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to Sam Minkus as a symbol of our profound respect and 
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esteem.