HR0661 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0661 LRB099 13238 MST 37143 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize and honor the first responders who 30 years ago gallantly fought the spectacular fire that destroyed Arlington Park Racecourse's clubhouse and grandstand; and

WHEREAS, Arlington International Racecourse opened in 1927 as "Arlington Park" and was hailed by the Chicago Tribune as "the greatest racecourse in America and one of the greatest in the world", a reputation that still exists today; the current facility reopened in 1989 to reviews as one of the world's finest racing and entertainment venues; and

WHEREAS, During the ensuing years, many of racing's biggest and brightest stars competed at Arlington Park, including Armed, Bewitch, Buckpasser, Busher, Candy Spots, Cigar, Citation, Coaltown, Dr. Fager, Equipoise, John Henry, Nashua, Native Dancer, Round Table, Secretariat, Spectacular Bid, Swaps, Tom Rolfe, T. V. Lark, Twilight Tears, and Whirlaway; and

WHEREAS, In 1981, Arlington International Racecourse introduced the first million dollar thoroughbred race with the inaugural running of the Arlington Million won by the famous John Henry and ridden by legendary jockey Bill Shoemaker; and

WHEREAS, On July 31, 1985, a fire broke out in the historic Post and Paddock Club at the track and soon spread to the entire grandstand and clubhouse; and

WHEREAS, 150 firefighters were called to this 5-alarm fire from the fire departments of Arlington Heights and 24 other northwest Illinois communities; and

WHEREAS, The fire soon engulfed the entire facility and exceeded the best efforts of the brave men and women to contain it; and

WHEREAS, The heroic efforts of these firefighters prevented the loss of any lives; and

WHEREAS, During the next 25 days after the fire, Arlington Park's owners, led by Richard L. Duchossois, worked 20 hours per day to clean away the 7,000 tons of steel and 14,000 tons of other debris and erected a tent village along with bleachers to enable the running of the Arlington Million on August 25, 1985; and

WHEREAS, The 1985 Arlington Million is known as the "Miracle Million", which was won by a horse from Great Britain named Teleprompter, owned by Lord Derby whose family's name is used for the Kentucky Derby and derbies throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, Arlington Park received the highest honor in racing - the Eclipse Award - in 1985 "in recognition of the indomitable spirit of the officers and staff for a 'Miracle'; Well done"; and

WHEREAS, August 15, 2015 is the 30th Anniversary of the "Miracle Million'; and

WHEREAS, On July 31, 2015, Arlington International Racecourse is recognizing these firefighters for their efforts 30 years ago in a special ceremony; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor the firefighters who fought this fire 30 years ago on July 31, 1985, and the owners and staff of Arlington International Racecourse for the achievement of conducting the Miracle Million on August 25, 1985; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the Arlington Heights Fire Department and to Arlington International Racecourse as an expression of our esteem and respect.