HR0592 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0592 LRB098 13922 GRL 48463 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate the owners and employees of Hamilton's Catering Service on the occasion of the organization's 100th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, Hamilton's Catering Service is a small family owned business which has been serving Central Illinois for the last 100 years; and

WHEREAS, The history of Hamilton's Catering Service began in 1913, when "Doc" Hamilton, a candy maker by trade, bought out the Ehnie Brother's Confectioners on East State Street in Jacksonville and expanded the soda fountain portion of the business by offering sandwiches and lunches; and

WHEREAS, Hamilton's Catering Service first provided off-premises food service during World War I as Doc fed troop trains passing through Jacksonville on their way to the war in Europe; and

WHEREAS, In the early 1970s, the center of business in Jacksonville started to shift from the downtown square to the busy Morton Avenue area; Doc's son, George A. Hamilton, Sr., chose at that time to discontinue the restaurant and focus solely on off-premises catering; and

WHEREAS, Soon after the closure of the restaurant, Hamilton's Catering Service became involved in providing noon meals to area senior citizens for the Prairie Council on Aging and Senior Services of Sangamon County, a partnership still in effect today; and

WHEREAS, As Hamilton's Catering Service became more involved in serving senior nutrition programs, the operation expanded to include Morgan, Sangamon, Menard, Scott, and Cass Counties; as the Village of Franklin was the geographic center of the region Hamilton's served, George Hamilton, Sr. decided that he would relocate his kitchen to Franklin; and

WHEREAS, During the revitalization of downtown Jacksonville, Hamilton's Catering Service opened a banquet facilities with 3 rooms at 110 North East Street in Jacksonville; and

WHEREAS, Hamilton's at 110 North East is one of the finest locations for weddings, banquets, and meetings in Central Illinois; this beautiful venue is located within one block of where Doc Hamilton started it all more than 100 years ago; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the owners and employees of Hamilton's Catering Service on the occasion of the organization's 100th anniversary and wish them continued success in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Hamilton's Catering Service as a symbol of our esteem and respect.