HR1371 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1371 LRB095 21605 GRL 51630 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to honor Donna and Leonard Harris, co-owners of Chatham Foods Center in Chicago, for 21 years of dedicated service to their community; and

WHEREAS, Donna and Leonard Harris have owned and operated the Chatham Food Center, located in the Chatham Neighborhood on the south side of Chicago, since 1987; and

WHEREAS, After receiving his bachelor's degree in accounting and becoming a Certified Public Accountant, Leonard Harris accepted a position with Food Basket Certified Grocery Store in 1973, working closely with the owner, Mr. Ernest T. Collins; over the following five years, he also worked at the other Collins chain stores located at 79th & Yates and 103rd & King Drive in Chicago; Mr. Collins served as young Mr. Harris' mentor, advising him to invest in the business; Mr. Collins' advice inspired Mr. Harris to acquire 11 percent of the business and become an officer in the Food Basket Grocery chain, eventually serving as Vice President and President; and

WHEREAS, After a time as friends, Donna and Leonard Harris formulated their friendship into a business partnership and opened their first store, the Harbor Food Center, Inc. in East Chicago, Indiana, in 1980; two years later, in 1982, they got married; Donna Harris brought retail experience into their partnership, having worked at Jewel Foods in several capacities; together, they maintained and operated the Harbor Food Center until 1987; and

WHEREAS, In 1987, Donna and Leonard Harris acquired the Chatham Food Center; the two have been major stakeholders in the Chatham community for 19 years; and

WHEREAS, Together, Donna and Leonard Harris have acquired many recognitions, including the Rainbow PUSH Coalition Business of the Year, the Shell Academy Community Mentoring Award, the WVON Kwanzaa Community Leadership and Service Award, the Cosmopolitan Chamber of Commerce Eliose Johnson Award, the Chesterfield Community Council Business Leadership Award, and the Chatham Avalon Park Business of the Year; and

WHEREAS, Donna and Leonard Harris' entrepreneurial spirit and long-term commitment to their community serves as an inspiration to the citizens of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor Donna and Leonard Harris, co-owners of Chatham Foods Center in Chicago, for 21 years of dedicated service to their community and wish them continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Donna and Leonard Harris as a symbol of our esteem and respect.