Resolution
WHEREAS, Mercury, Chicago's Skyline Cruiseline, is a Chicago based, family owned and operated tour and charter boat business that has showcased Chicago's architecture, skyline and waterways to millions of visitors from around the globe since 1935; and
WHEREAS, Mercury, Chicago's Skyline Cruiseline fleet and tour offerings have grown considerably since great grandfather Arthur Agra began offering "go fast and get cool" speedboats with 25 cent tickets after the Great Depression when indoor air-conditioning was not commonplace; and
WHEREAS, Mercury, Chicago's Skyline Cruiseline has operated during the tenure of 10 Chicago mayors and witnessed and participated in the historic transformation of Chicago's once dingy, commercial waterway into a vibrant multiuse world class tourist destination with the expansion of Chicago's Riverwalk; and
WHEREAS, today Mercury Chicago's Skyline Cruiseline is comprised of seven vessels operating in two sister companies, Mercury Sightseeing Boats offering family friendly tours including the Urban Adventure Cruise, Chicago by Night and the Canine Cruise and Chicago's First Lady Cruises offering the world-renowned Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady Cruises both operating from their Riverside Gardens dock on the Chicago Riverwalk east ofthe Michigan Avenue bridge; and
WHEREAS, Mercury, Chicago's Skyline Cruiseline has been the exclusive partner with the Chicago Architecture Foundation for more than 20 years to showcase Chicago's world-famous architecture through 90-minute docent-led architecture river cruises; and
WHEREAS, Mercury, Chicago's Skyline Cruiseline is led by the Agra family's third generation, Captain Robert (Jr.) and Holly Agra, working in close partnership with the fourth generation, Robert III, Timothy and Clare Agra; and
WHEREAS, the Agra family are Chicago tourism ambassadors through their generous hosting of visiting dignitaries, media and tourist delegations as well as numerous civic leadership roles; and
WHEREAS, Captain Robert L. Agra, Jr. a 40+-year veteran of the industry who took over the company at age 18 after the death of his father and namesake, prides himself on the company's record of safety and their meticulous care for the mechanical health of the boats year-round and shares his maritime safety knowledge as a leader on the Chicago Harbor Safety Committee; and
WHEREAS, Holly Agra's global tourism knowledge and dedication has been recognized through her appointment by President Obama to the US Travel and Tourism Advisory Board as well as local leadership roles on the boards ofthe Magnificent Mile Association, Illinois Tourism Alliance and Choose Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Mercury, Chicago's Skyline Cruiseline developed its Riverside Gardens dock on the southeast corner and lower level ofthe Michigan Avenue Bridge, gateway to Chicago's world-famous Magnificent Mile, into an attractive, lushly landscaped, park-like setting serving as an anchor ofthe new and growing Chicago Riverwalk, and as a bucolic destination for residents and tourists alike to enjoy;
WHEREAS, Mercury, Chicago's Skyline Cruiseline is celebrating its 80th anniversary showcasing Chicago's rich history and impressive architecture from its fleet of boats departing from their Riverside Gardens dock on the Chicago Riverwalk, now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED That we, the Mayor and the Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago,
assembled in meeting this day of September 2015, do hereby honor and salute Mercury,
Chicago's Skyline Cruiseline on their 80 year commitment to promoting Chicago as a world-class tourist destination and extend our heartfelt best wishes for future success and proclaim Saturday, October 3 as "Mercury, Chicago's Skyline Cruiseline Day "throughout Chicago; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy ofthis resolution be prepared and presented to Mercury, Chicago's Skyline Cruiseline.
BRENDAN REILLY Alderman-42nd Ward