HR1266 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1266 LRB097 23253 MST 72081 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to honor W. "Bill" Williams, Jr. on his work with the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau and his life's achievements; and

WHEREAS, Bill Williams, Jr. currently serves as Vice President for Diversity/Sales of the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau; he has been with the CCTB for more than 3 decades covering the Social, Military, Education/Ethnic, Religious, and Fraternal Market (SMERF), and is a veteran of over 40 years in the hospitality industry; and

WHEREAS, Bill Williams, Jr. is a founding board member of the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners and the Chicago Chapter of the Society of Government Meeting Professionals; he is a member of Who's Who Among Black Americans, Who's Who Black Chicago, and holds memberships in a number of other organizations, including the Religious Conference Management Association, International Association of Hispanic Meeting Professionals, Rainbow Push Coalition, president of the Rat Pack Chicago, former Grand Marketing Director of the Improved Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks of the Community Action, and board member of the Shoop School 49ers's; he is on the board of trustees of the Chicago Baptist Institute, a board member of the Academy of Travel and Tourism for the Chicago Public Schools, and is a member of the City Club of Chicago; he was recently elected as one of 50 men of excellence by a poll of the Chicago Defender Newspaper; and

WHEREAS, Bill Williams, Jr. is nationally recognized as a leader in the cause of furthering racial equality and opportunity in the convention and tourism industry; he is a mentor to many people in the hospitality industry and has had a tremendous impact on the economic growth and development of Chicago's hospitality industry; he is the senior African American in the U.S. in the convention bureau industry; and

WHEREAS, Bill Williams, Jr. was born in the Morgan Park community of Chicago, where he has a street dedicated in his honor and he is active in the betterment of his community; he founded the Morgan Park Shoe Repair and Shine Parlor, now called K & J Shoe Repair, and Shine Parlors and is more than two decades old; it is an international company that provides part-time employment for more than 30 people; and

WHEREAS, Bill Williams, Jr. received his business degree from Chicago State University; he has been married to Sylester Tillman Williams for 47 years and is father to Karen, Kevin, and Keyth; he is a grandfather and lifelong member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church; he is a member of the Montford Point Marines, Alpha Psi Fraternity, and the Quarter Century Club of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity; he is a 33rd degree Mason and a Shriner; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor Bill Williams, Jr. on his time with the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau and his life's achievements; and be it further

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