Record #: R2021-1134   
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Intro date: 10/25/2021 Current Controlling Legislative Body:
Final action: 10/25/2021
Title: Congratulations extended to Richard L. Duchossois on 100th birthday
Sponsors: Burke, Edward M.
Attachments: 1. R2021-1134.pdf

RESOLUTION

 

WHEREAS, Richard L. Duchossois celebrates another year of life at 100 years of age including a lifetime of achievements; and

 

WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this event by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and

 

WHEREAS, Richard was born to Alphonse Christopher and Erna (Hessler) Duchossois in Chicago on October 7,1921; and

 

WHEREAS, Richard graduated from Morgan Park Military Academy and attended Washington and Lee University before entering active military service in 1942 during World War II; and

 

WHEREAS, He served in five European campaigns including Normandy where he was a commander with the 610th Tank Destroyer Battalion, and served as the military governor for the region of Eichstatt, and was promoted to the rank of Major before he was discharged from active duty in 1946; and

 

WHEREAS, During his military service, Richard was cited for bravery receiving various medals, including a Purple Heart for his injuries in combat at the Moselle River and two Bronze Stars; and

 

WHEREAS, After World War II Richard married his high school sweetheart, Beverly Thrall and joined the Thrall Car Manufacturing Company ("Thrall"), and became its CEO in 1952; and

 

WHEREAS, In 1983, as Chairman ofthe Duchossois Group, an investment company, Richard purchased Arlington Park Race Track; and

 

WHEREAS, Richard also owned Des Moines TV Station KDSM-TV (formerly KCBR-TV) from 1983 to 1991; and

 

WHEREAS, In 2000, Arlington Park merged with Churchill Downs Incorporated, where the Duchossois Group was awarded several seats on the Board of Directors; and

 

WHEREAS, Richard serves as a director of TCMC, Inc., the Emirates World Series of Racing, and the Thoroughbred Racing Association; and

 

WHEREAS, Richard's awards include the 1986 American Jockey Club's Gold Medal, the 1980 Special Sovereign Award from the Jockey Club of Canada, and Lord Derby Award for Meritorious Service to Racing from the National Turf Writers Association, the 2003 Eclipse Award of Merit, and in 2020 Richard was inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame, and that same year Richard was voted into the

 

 

National Museum Of Racing and Hall of Fame.as one of its esteemed Pillars of the Turf; and

 

WHEREAS, With his second wife, Mary Judith Duchossois they received the Sword of Loyola award from Loyola University Chicago for their philanthropy in 2014; and

 

WHEREAS, In May 2017, the Duchossoisfamily announced a gift to the University of Chicago Medicine of $100 million, including $50 million from the Duchossois Family Foundation and,$50 million,from Janet and Craig Duchossois; and

 

WHEREAS, In October 2017, UChicago Medicine celebrated the opening ofthe Duchossois.Family Institute; and

 

WHEREAS, The relationship between The Duchossois Family Foundation and UChicago Medicine spans over 40 years, inspired by the care: that matriarch Beverly Thrall Duchossois received when she was treated for cancer in the late 1970s; and

 

WHEREAS, Richard brings honor to his children, Kimberly, the late R. Bruce, Craig, and Dayle; now, therefore

 

BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled.this 25th day of October, 2021, do hereby congratulate Richard L. Duchossois for celebrating his 100th birthday and acknowledge his remarkable achievements, and do hereby express our gratitude for his generosity; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That Major Duchossois be awarded the Chicago Medal of Merit as well as a suitable copy of this resolution.