HR0891 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0891 LRB098 20500 MST 56463 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to recognize Dick Read for his contributions to the community and congratulate him on his induction into the Vermilion Advantage Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Dick Read's modesty will only allow him to say he sells cars, but he and his family have been an integral part of the Hoopeston community for as long as most can remember; his father, W.A. Read, owned a grocery distributor business that supplied over 17 small mom & pop stores in a 30-mile radius in the 1950s; W.A. Read eventually got out of the grocery supply business and started Read's Pontiac, Buick, Oldsmobile, and Chevrolet dealership in 1956; 58-years later a Read family member is still selling cars in Hoopeston, with Dick now owning Star Chrysler and Crown Ford; and

WHEREAS, Dick Read's interest in cars extends beyond just selling them; in the 1960s he built his own hot-rod show car, and he enjoys open-wheel racing, taking part in events across the country from coast-to-coast; and

WHEREAS, Dick Read has always been a promoter for Hoopeston; he sponsors community activities from grilling hot dogs to raise money for a cause to sponsoring the town fireworks; he formed a group of business people to volunteer their time, meeting weekly to brainstorm ideas to turn things around for Hoopeston; he has been at the forefront of the recent growth of the Hoopeston healthcare business and its hospital; he jumpstarted the conversation regarding a new McDonald's at Routes 1 & 9 after it hit numerous roadblocks, and he was integral in raising funds for the renovation of a former medical building that now houses the new Danville Area Community College campus in Hoopeston; and

WHEREAS, Anyone who knows Dick Read will tell you that no one loves Hoopeston and the people of the community more so than he does, and he is the one who can find a way to say "yes" when others are saying "no"; and

WHEREAS, Dick Read will be inducted into the Vermilion Advantage Hall of Fame on March 16, 2014; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize Dick Read for his contributions to the community and congratulate him on his induction into the Vermilion Advantage Hall of Fame; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Dick Read as an expression of our esteem and respect.