RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Charles R. Walgreen III has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 80; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, A resident of Lake Forest, Charles R. Walgreen III was the former head of Walgreens drug store chain; and
WHEREAS, Walgreens was founded in 1901 in Chicago by the grandfather of Charles R. Walgreen III who turned a corner drugstore at 4134 South Cottage Grove Avenue into a giant chain; and
WHEREAS, Born in Chicago, Charles R. Walgreen III was called "Cork" by his grandfather who considered him a real "corker," or singular individual; and
WHEREAS, Charles R. Walgreen III grew up stocking shelves in the family's Evanston store and attended pharmacy school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor; and
WHEREAS, After his graduation in 1958, Charles R. Walgreen III worked in a number of positions at Walgreens before being named President in 1969, Chief Executive Officer in 1971 and Chairman in 1976; and
WHEREAS, Charles R. Walgreen III was the third member of the Walgreen family to lead the Deerfield-based company to which he dedicated his career for 58 years; and
WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Charles R. Walgreen III, the company reported 23 straight years of earning increases and quadrupled the number of stores; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure, Charles R. Walgreen III refocused the chain on its pharmacy business, health and beauty aids and photo services while closing peripheral operations such as its restaurants and soda fountains; and
WHEREAS, Charles R. Walgreen III established a number of innovations, including a computerized prescription management system; and
WHEREAS, Following a long and highly distinguished career, Charles R. Walgreen III retired as Chief Executive Officer in 1998 and as Chairman ofthe Board in 1999; and
WHEREAS, The hard work, sacrifice and dedication of Charles R. Walgreen III serve as an example to al...
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