HR0712 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0712 LRB102 26589 LAW 37302 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois and its citizens are grateful for the contributions Richard Duchossois made through his service to the nation, business acumen, philanthropy, and dedication to the sport of horse racing; and

WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois was born to Ernestine and Alphonse Duchossois in Chicago on October 7, 1921, was raised in Beverly, and attended the Morgan Park Military Academy and the Washington and Lee University; and

WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois was only 20 years old when he was called into service in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he served as a commander of a Tank Destroyer Company during five European campaigns, including the landing at Utah Beach in Normandy and leading a battalion in the famed Battle of the Bulge; and

WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois was awarded the Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars for his leadership, service, courage, and sacrifice; and

WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois married Beverly Thrall in 1943, and they had four children, Craig, Dayle, Bruce, and Kimberly; and

WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois was invited to join the Thrall Car Manufacturing Company and grew the company from 35 employees to over 3,000 employees, parlaying this business success into a sprawling business empire known as Duchossois Industries that spanned several industries and employed thousands of Americans; and

WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois made his first substantial philanthropic gift in response to the care and treatment his beloved wife Beverly was receiving before her passing in 1980; his family became one of the State's most philanthropic families through the Duchossois Family Foundation, whose grants, donations and contributions have transformed communities, supported medical and scientific advancements, raised the quality of life for individuals and families in need, and supported educational attainment for the next generation; and

WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois assumed ownership of the Arlington Park racetrack in Arlington Heights in 1983, and through his signature leadership, management, and fearlessness, he rallied the track to host its signature event, the Arlington Million, just days after a devastating electrical fire that instantly became a legendary and historic racing event known as the Miracle Million; and

WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois oversaw the merger of Arlington Park with Churchill Downs Incorporated in 2000 as part of his dedication, love, and passion for elevating the sport of horse racing and to ensure its economic vitality during a period of change and was later inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame for his endless contributions to the sport; and

WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois never forgot the courage and sacrifice of those he served with in World War II and became a trustee of the National World War II Museum in New Orleans to ensure that later generations understood the gifts of freedom and liberty; and

WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois married Mary Judith McKeage Duchossois in 2000, and she supported and championed his continued business and philanthropic efforts, including his endless entrepreneurialism that continued throughout all his days, as well as his love of his ever-expanding family; and

WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois was guided by an enormous sense of humility, generosity, and service to others; and

WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois was affectionately known as "Mr. D" to all those with whom he interacted; and

WHEREAS, In his century of living, Richard Duchossois never wasted a day, and he made a remarkable difference in the world through his acclaimed military service, business acumen, status as a horse racing icon, and philanthropy; and

WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois was most proud of his duties as a mentor, friend, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather; and

WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois will be remembered for his leadership, humility, generosity, tenacity, patriotism, philanthropy, and kindness to others; and

WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois passed away on January 28, 2022 at the age of 100 after a life well lived; and

WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois was preceded in death by his first wife, Beverly, and their beloved son, R. Bruce Duchossois; and

WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois is survived by his wife, Mary Judith McKeage Duchossois; his son, Craig J. (Janet) Duchossois; his daughter, Dayle Duchossois (Ed) Fortino; his daughter, Kimberly Duchossois; his stepsons, Steve (Sherrie) Marchi and Paul (Judy) Marchi; his seven grandchildren and spouses; his two step-grandchildren; and his 14 great-grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Richard Duchossois, commend his service to the nation, State, and the sport of horse racing, and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Richard Duchossois as an expression of our deepest sympathy.