HR1330 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1330 LRB094 20613 HSS 58926 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the State of Illinois learned with sadness of the death of Robert Emmet "Butch" McGuire Sr. of Rochester, Minnesota, on Wednesday, May 17, 2006; and

WHEREAS, Mr. McGuire was the owner of Butch McGuire's at 20 W. Division, which was one of America's first singles bars; he purchased the bar in 1961, and the Near North Side would never be the same; and

WHEREAS, He was born in Beverly, and his father was a Chicago attorney; he graduated from Morgan Park Military Academy and the University of Michigan with an engineering degree, having conquered severe dyslexia; and

WHEREAS, In 1985, Mr. McGuire said that 12.5 million people had come into his bar since 1961, and more than 4,750 marriages came out of his bar; he was progressive and was one of the first in Chicago to hire a female bartender; and

WHEREAS, He loved the Christmas season and from mid-November through late January, Butch McGuire's is lit with more than 250,00 lights; he had model trains that ran on tracks that hung above the rooms of the bar; and

WHEREAS, Mr. McGuire was known for his willingness to help others; young people often came to him for jobs, and he was willing to help out; many people got their start at Butch McGuire's; as a recipient of a donor heart transplant, each year he and his wife would host a benefit for the American Transplant Association; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Robert Emmet "Butch" McGuire Sr. has been deeply felt by many, especially his wife of 42 years, Mary Jo (Donovan) McGuire; his children, Lauretta Stewart, Robert Emmet (Bobby) McGuire Jr., and Terrance; and his six grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Robert Emmet "Butch" McGuire Sr., and we extend our deepest sympathy to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to his family as an expression of our sincerest condolences.