HR1560 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1560 LRB094 22165 KXB 60822 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate C.H. James Restaurant Holdings on the six newly remodeled Burger King restaurants in Chicago, Illinois; and

WHEREAS, The Burger King restaurants hosted their grand re-openings on November 29, 2006; partnering with local radio stations, 107.5 FM WGCI and 92.3 FM WPWX, air personalities such as Tony Sculfield, Beyonce Foxx, Trey, "The Choklit Jok", Kendra G, and "The Hot Boyz" Shag and Tone, were on hand to distribute prizes at the restaurants; the grand opening festivities also included an appearance by Whosay, one of the only African-American magicians in the Midwest, as well as special performances by local high school bands and cheerleaders; and

WHEREAS, Predominantly located on the south and west sides of Chicago, each location is also now a hot spot for wireless connectivity so that patrons can enjoy free Internet access inside the stores; A recruiting station for people to complete employment applications and meet one-on-one with hiring personnel are also available at each restaurant; and

WHEREAS, C.H. James Restaurant Holdings is the largest African-American Burger King franchisee; in 2004, Charles H. James III joined the Burger King system when the company acquired 37 Burger King restaurants in the Chicago area; in May 2006, three urban stores were acquired, bringing the franchise owner's total to 40 restaurants and an additional three are managed on behalf of Burger King; C.H. James Restaurant Holdings, LLC is an affiliate of C.H. James and Company, which is a fourth generation African-American family-owned business founded by James' great-grandfather in 1883 in Charleston, West Virginia; and

WHEREAS, In 1992, C.H. James and Company was recognized as Company of the Year by Black Enterprise magazine; in August 2004, James established C. H. James Restaurant Holdings, LLC in an exclusive partnership with the Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group, which invests growth capital in ethnic minority-owned or targeted businesses and urban real estate; and

WHEREAS, Named to the Black Enterprise BE 100 listing on many occasions, C. H. James has serviced a high profile and demanding roster of clients in the food service industry including McDonald's, Yum! Brands, Darden Restaurant, and Wendy's; as an 8(a) contractor, the firm has been recognized as a leading supplier to the United States Department of Agriculture, Department of Defense, and other government agencies; and

WHEREAS, C.H. James is to be congratulated for bringing employment opportunities to the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate C.H. James and Company on the grand re-opening of the new Burger King restaurants; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to C.H. James Restaurant Holdings Chairman and CEO Charles H. James III.