HR0796 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0796 LRB095 14197 KXB 40065 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to honor Louis L. Freeman, the first African-American Chief Pilot for Southwest Airlines and all other major carriers; and

WHEREAS, Not only is Louis L. Freeman the first African-American Chief Pilot for any major carrier, he entered history as head of the Southwest Airlines flight crew that transported the body of deceased civil rights icon Rosa Parks in 2005; and

WHEREAS, Louis Freeman is the chief-pilot for Southwest Airlines, one of America's most highly regarded companies; the airline is famous for its commitment to superb service and it is an honor that Louis Freeman was awarded both the airline's Winning Spirit Award and the President's Award; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Freeman is a man of firsts, with his list beginning in high school when he and his brother were the first students to integrate Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas, Texas; Mr. Freeman was his high school and college R.O.T.C. Corps Commander; at East Texas State University he attained the rank of Colonel, receiving numerous awards and medals; and

WHEREAS, Louis Freeman was a top East Texas State University graduate in 1974, and was also the first African-American to attend Air Force Pilot Training; he was assigned to Mather Air Force Base, where he flew T43s and became the first second lieutenant to become a squadron scheduler and one of the first to become an instructor pilot and supervisor of flying; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Freeman was also honored as Squadron Pilot of the Year for the 454th Flight Training Squadron; he left the United States Air Force with the rank of captain; at Southwest Airlines, Mr. Freeman inaugurated a Chicago pilot crew base with 150 pilots that grew to more than 1,000 pilots, and a staff of four assistant chief pilots; he resolves issues and concerns with governmental partners, ensures pilots meet the company objectives, effectively manages the crew base budget, and helps determine company policy; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Louis Freeman on being a man of firsts and commend him for his hard work and dedication to his career; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Louis L. Freeman as a symbol of our esteem and respect.