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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Banner Wholesale Grocers is celebrating its 
3historic 100th anniversary in 2026, marking a century of 
4continuous operation as a premier wholesale distributor and a 
5pillar of the Chicago business community; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Founded in 1926 by Ben Friedman as a modest 
7dried-goods shop, Banner Wholesale Grocers has successfully 
8navigated a century of change through four generations of 
9family leadership, demonstrating remarkable resilience and 
10adaptability; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Albert Friedman and 
12Irving Saltzman in 1950, the company built a stronger 
13wholesale foundation, and in 1968, Richard Saltzman guided a 
14visionary transition toward the Hispanic food market, 
15establishing Banner Wholesale Grocers as a trusted distributor 
16for multicultural retailers; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Today, under the fourth-generation leadership of 
18Ryan Saltzman, the company has modernized its operations to 
19manage over 6,000 stockkeeping units (SKUs), supporting 
20independent neighborhood grocers and small businesses 
21throughout Chicago and across the midwest; and
 
 
 
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1    WHEREAS, Banner Wholesale Grocers has remained committed 
2to the principles of quality, affordability, and exceptional 
3service, playing a vital role in the cultural and economic 
4vitality of the communities it serves; therefore, be it
 
5    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
6HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
7we declare June 13, 2026 as Banner Wholesale Day in the State 
8of Illinois in recognition of the company's deep roots and 
9lasting impact on the City of Chicago and the State's grocery 
10industry; and be it further
 
11    RESOLVED, That we congratulate the Saltzman family and the 
12entire team at Banner Wholesale Grocers on the occasion of its 
13100th Anniversary and commend them for their century of 
14service to the people of Illinois; and be it further
 
15    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
16presented to the leadership of Banner Wholesale Grocers as a 
17symbol of our respect and esteem for their historic milestone.