RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Jay Marshall and his glove puppet, Lefty, have entertained all over the English speaking world with such theatrical legends as Frank Sinatra, Paul Robeson, Pearl Bailey, Edith Piaf, Beatrice Lillie, Nanette Fabray, Liberace, Carol Burnett, and many others; and
WHEREAS, Jay Marshall was a television pioneer having performed on Sid Caesar's Your Show of Shows, The Kate Smith Hour, Milton Berle's Texaco Star Theatre, The Morning Show with Walter Cronkite, Ford Festival and many others, and was the first-ever person to be seen on color television; and
WHEREAS, Jay Marshall appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show 14 times; and
WHEREAS, Jay Marshall served his country in the South Pacific during World War II and left the Army in 1946 as a Sergeant; and
WHEREAS, Jay Marshall was decorated by the French Government with the "Merite Artistique et Social" Medal of Honor for his work in the arts; and
WHEREAS, Jay Marshall has performed in three Broadway shows; and
WHEREAS, Jay Marshall was the Dean of the Society of American Magicians; and
WHEREAS, Jay Marshall was the owner and President of Magic, Inc., a family owned and operated magic shop on Chicago's northwest side since its grand opening in 1964; and
WHEREAS, Jay Marshall emceed The Cookie the Clown Roast (Bozo Circus) for the benefit of The Chicago Tribune Charities; and
WHEREAS, Jay Marshall was a life member and board member of the Chicago based Showman's League of America Christmas Party for Crippled Children at Medinah Temple; and
WHEREAS, The Society of American Magicians 143 Assembly is named "The Jay Marshall Assembly" because of his charitable work in the Chicago area; and
WHEREAS, Jay Marshall has been a mentor to such esteemed talents at Jim Henson, Doug Henning, Penn & Teller, and hundreds of magicians throughout Chicago and the world; and
WHEREAS, Jay Marshall was one of the most loved magicians, ventriloquists, collectors, historians, and characters in the field of magic; and
WHEREAS, Jay Marshall was the first ever recipient to receive the David Devant Award for his significant contribution in advancing the art of magic, presented to him by The Magic Circle in Great Britain; and
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WHEREAS, Jay Marshall is the subject of an award-winning biography, Beating a Dead Horse; The Life and Times of Jay Marshall; and
WHEREAS, To commemorate Jay Marshall's 80th Birthday, The Honorable Richard M. Daley proclaimed August 29, 1999 "HONORARY JAY MARSHALL DAY" in the City of Chicago; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Mayor of the great City of Chicago and members of the City Council, meeting this 30th day of April, 2014 extend our heartiest congratulations to Magic Inc. on their 50th Anniversary that will be celebrated on July 18, 2014; and
Patrick J. O'Connor Alderman- 40th Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared for presentation to Magic Inc. and that suitable signage designating "Honorary Jay Marshall Way" at the intersection of North Lincoln Avenue and West Carmen Avenue be fabricated and installed.