HR0712LRB102 26589 LAW 37302 r


  
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The State of Illinois and its citizens are 
3grateful for the contributions Richard Duchossois made through 
4his service to the nation, business acumen, philanthropy, and 
5dedication to the sport of horse racing; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois was born  to Ernestine and 
7Alphonse Duchossois in Chicago on October 7, 1921, was raised 
8in Beverly, and attended the Morgan Park Military Academy and 
9the Washington and Lee University; and
  
 
10    WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois was only 20 years old when he 
11was called into service in the U.S. Army during World War II, 
12where he served as a commander of a Tank Destroyer Company 
13during five European campaigns, including the landing at Utah 
14Beach in Normandy and leading a battalion in the famed Battle 
15of the Bulge; and
  
 
16    WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois was awarded the Purple Heart 
17and two Bronze Stars for his leadership, service, courage, and 
18sacrifice; and
  
 
19    WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois married Beverly Thrall in 
201943, and they had four children, Craig, Dayle, Bruce, and 
21Kimberly; and
  
 
 
 
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1    WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois was invited to join the Thrall 
2Car Manufacturing Company and grew the company from 35 
3employees to over 3,000 employees, parlaying this business 
4success into a sprawling business empire known as Duchossois 
5Industries that spanned several industries and employed 
6thousands of Americans; and
  
 
7    WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois made his first substantial 
8philanthropic gift in response to the care and treatment his 
9beloved wife Beverly was receiving before her passing in 1980; 
10his family became one of the State's most philanthropic 
11families through the Duchossois Family Foundation, whose 
12grants, donations and contributions have transformed 
13communities, supported medical and scientific advancements, 
14raised the quality of life for individuals and families in 
15need, and supported educational attainment for the next 
16generation; and
  
 
17    WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois assumed ownership of the 
18Arlington Park racetrack in Arlington Heights in 1983, and 
19through his signature leadership, management, and 
20fearlessness, he rallied the track to host its signature 
21event, the Arlington Million, just days after a devastating 
22electrical fire that instantly became a legendary and historic 
23racing event known as the Miracle Million; and
  
 
 
 
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1    WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois oversaw the merger of 
2Arlington Park with Churchill Downs Incorporated in 2000 as 
3part of his dedication, love, and passion for elevating the 
4sport of horse racing and to ensure its economic vitality 
5during a period of change and  was later inducted into the 
6National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame for his endless 
7contributions to the sport; and
  
 
8    WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois never forgot the courage and 
9sacrifice of those he served with in World War II and became a 
10trustee of the National World War II Museum in New Orleans to 
11ensure that later generations understood the gifts of freedom 
12and liberty; and
  
 
13    WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois married Mary Judith McKeage 
14Duchossois in 2000, and she supported and championed his 
15continued business and philanthropic efforts, including his 
16endless entrepreneurialism that continued throughout all his 
17days, as well as his love of his ever-expanding family; and
  
 
18    WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois was guided by an enormous 
19sense of humility, generosity, and service to others; and
  
 
20    WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois was affectionately known as 
21"Mr. D" to all those  with whom he interacted; and
  
 
 
 
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1    WHEREAS, In his century of living, Richard Duchossois 
2never wasted a day, and he made a remarkable difference in the 
3world through his acclaimed military service, business acumen, 
4status as a horse racing icon, and philanthropy; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois was most proud of his duties 
6as a mentor, friend, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, and 
7great-grandfather; and
  
 
8    WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois will be remembered for his 
9leadership, humility, generosity, tenacity, patriotism, 
10philanthropy, and kindness to others; and
  
 
11    WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois passed away on January 28, 
122022 at the age of 100 after a life well lived; and
  
 
13    WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois was preceded in death by his 
14first wife, Beverly, and their beloved son, R. Bruce 
15Duchossois; and
  
 
16    WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois is survived by his wife, Mary 
17Judith McKeage Duchossois; his son, Craig J. (Janet) 
18Duchossois; his daughter, Dayle Duchossois (Ed) Fortino; his 
19daughter, Kimberly Duchossois; his stepsons, Steve (Sherrie) 
20Marchi and Paul (Judy) Marchi; his seven grandchildren and 
 
 
HR0712- 5 -LRB102 26589 LAW 37302 r

1spouses; his two step-grandchildren; and his 14 
2great-grandchildren; therefore, be it
  
 
3    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
4HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
5we mourn the passing of Richard Duchossois, commend his 
6service to the nation, State, and the sport of horse racing, 
7and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and 
8all who knew and loved him; and be it further
  
 
9    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
10presented to the family of Richard Duchossois as an expression 
11of our deepest sympathy.