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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Gerald J.
4"Jerry" Roper, who passed away on June 28, 2015; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Jerry Roper was born in Pittsburgh,
6Pennsylvania's blue-collar Spring Garden neighborhood, the son
7of John and Jessie Roper; after serving his country in the
8United States Army, he worked his way up in the hospitality
9industry; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Jerry Roper served in a variety of different roles
11in hospitality administration, including, marketing director
12for Holiday Inns and for Sheraton hotels; a director of trade
13shows for the National Restaurant Association; President of the
14Rosemont O'Hare Convention and Visitors Bureau, and eventually
15President of the Chicago Convention and Visitors Bureau; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Jerry Roper served as President of the Chicagoland
17Chamber of Commerce from 1993 to 2013, and under his strong
18leadership, it grew to be one of the most respected and
19renowned business organizations in the country, and he also
20lead it to a 5-star accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of
21Commerce; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Jerry Roper was extensively involved with many
2civic and local organizations, has been honored with a Lifetime
3Achievement Award as a founding member of Chicago Gateway
4Green, and was honored with January 25, 2012 being named as
5"Jerry Roper Day" in Chicago; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Jerry Roper was a true champion for the city of
7Chicago and for every business and tourism initiative in the
8Chicago area, and he will be remembered as a vibrant and
9tenacious leader with a lasting impact throughout Illinois; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Jerry Roper was the heartbeat of Chicago and
11through his selfless energy, commitment to innovation and new
12ideas, tireless work as an advocate, and courage in the face of
13huge obstacles, he was the person that all strive to be; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Jerry Roper is survived by his wife, Carol Buseman
15Roper; son, Jerry Roper, Jr.; daughter, Tani Sison; brother,
16Donald Andrezjwski; and 2 grandchildren, Grace and Evan;
17therefore, be it
 
18    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
19NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
20mourn the passing of Gerald J. "Jerry" Roper, and extend our
21sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew
22and loved him; and be it further
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
2presented to the family of Jerry Roper as an expression of our
3deepest sympathy.