HR0442 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0442 LRB094 12383 HSS 46627 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The owners of Shorty's Tavern in Albers celebrated it's 70th anniversary on Saturday, May 7, 2005; and

WHEREAS, In 1934, Anton "Tony" Behrman and his wife, Catherine, purchased a tavern located at 202 South Commercial in Albers; it is the second-longest-running, generation-to-generation, family owned bar in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Tony and Catherine owned and operated the tavern, then known as Behrman's, until 1954, when their son, Urban "Shorty" Behrman and his wife, Dorothy, took over; Shorty and Dorothy's sons, Glen (Shorty Jr.) and Clyde (Balls) and Glen's wife, Theresa, became the third generation in the business in 1987; and

WHEREAS, Many changes have occurred throughout the years since Tony and Catherine first began running the tavern; at that time, there were only 10 brands of cigarettes; today, there are 202; soda or a glass of beer cost only five cents; a half-barrel was under $10, and a mixed drink cost 50 cents; and

WHEREAS, The bar would open every day at 6 a.m., and there were special tables for "ladies" since they weren't permitted to sit at the bar; rest room facilities were only available outside; neighbors often sent their children to the tavern with a coffee can to get cold draft beer; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the years, Shorty's tavern has been notorious for its successful pool leagues; the 1918 Brunswick table purchased by Tony Behrman in the early 1940s still stands center stage in Shorty's tavern; the tavern has also sponsored softball, darts, and bowling; and

WHEREAS, Even though his sons took over the business years ago, Shorty Sr. still works behind the bar and is one of the longest-serving bartenders in the State; the tavern continues to be a welcoming and comfortable gathering space; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the owners of Shorty's Tavern, past and present, on the occasion of the tavern's 70th anniversary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Shorty's Tavern as an expression of our esteem and with best wishes for many more years of success.