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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Edward
4George Gardner of Chicago, who passed away on March 20, 2023;
5and
 
6    WHEREAS, Edward Gardner was born to Frank and Eva Gardner
7in the West Chesterfield neighborhood of Chicago on February
815, 1925; he attended Fenger High School; he served as a
9sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II; he received his
10Bachelor of Arts from Chicago Teachers College, known today as
11Chicago State University; he earned his Master of Arts from
12the University of Chicago; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Edward Gardner was regarded as a Chicago titan of
14business and philanthropy; in 1964, he and his wife, Bettiann,
15founded the hair care company Soft Sheen Products, Inc.; they
16developed the business into a multimillion-dollar enterprise,
17employing more than 400 people and exporting products to
18Canada, the Caribbean, and West Africa; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Edward Gardner utilized Soft Sheen Products,
20Inc.'s advertising and communication resources and leveraged a
21$300,000 fundraising effort and staff to mount a campaign that
22registered more than 200,000 voters 40 years ago, which was

 

 

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1instrumental in the 1983 election of Chicago's first Black
2mayor, the late Harold Washington; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Edward Gardner was also known for his dedication
4to the arts; he and his wife spearheaded the development of the
5New Regal Theater located at 1641 East 79th Street in Chicago,
6which hosted acts ranging from Gladys Knight to Tyler Perry
7during its years in operation; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Edward Gardner remained committed to his
9community throughout his life; at the age of 87, he led a march
10of over 1,000 people to protest the lack of Black workers on a
11major construction site on Chicago's South Side in 2012; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Edward Gardner was a co-owner of the Chicago
13Bulls and a founding member of the anti-violence nonprofit
14Black On Black Love; he was also a board member of Chicago
15United and The Chicago Urban League; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Edward Gardner was known for engaging others with
17humanity and humility; he will be remembered for his
18dedication to his family, his community, and the City of
19Chicago; therefore, be it
 
20    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
21HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that

 

 

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1we mourn the passing of Edward George Gardner and extend our
2sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew
3and loved him; and be it further
 
4    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
5presented to the family of Edward Gardner as an expression of
6our deepest sympathy.