HR1125 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1125 LRB096 21947 GRL 40064 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Wendella, Chicago's original narrated boat tour company, is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2010; and

WHEREAS, Wendella is locally owned and operated by the Borgstrom family; now in its 4th generation, there are 10 family members actively involved in the company's day-to-day operations; the company also supports 150 employees and their families; and

WHEREAS, Wendella has played an integral role in building Illinois' world-class tourism industry, having showcased Chicago to more than 20 million people from around the world since 1935; and

WHEREAS, Wendella has provided water transportation services in Chicago for 70 years, starting in 1940; Wendella has transported sailors from the old Chicago and Northwestern railroad station to Michigan Avenue and currently by operating the Chicago Water Taxi Service; and

WHEREAS, Wendella is a leader in the passenger vessel industry and has developed and implemented new environmentally-friendly practices and procedures through its partnership with the Passenger Vessel Association's Green Waters program and the Friends of the Chicago River Water Monitoring courses; and

WHEREAS, Wendella established the industry's first in-house education department, which provides in-depth training for all of the company's tour guides; the education department ensures that up-to-date and accurate information is disseminated to tens of thousands of children and school groups taking part in outreach programs and tours; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the owners and employees of Wendella Boats in Chicago on the occasion of the company's 75th anniversary and wish them continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be given to Wendella Boats and the Borgstrom family as a symbol of our esteem and respect.