HR0712 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0712 LRB094 14990 RAS 50086 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, On October 26th, 2005, the Chicago White Sox became the 101st World Champions of Major League Baseball under the tutelage of second year coach and manager, Oswaldo "Ozzie" Guillen; with the assistance of General Manger, Kenny Williams, and Chicago White Sox Owner, Jerry Reinsdorf, Ozzie assembled the best team in Major League Baseball; and

WHEREAS, Ozzie Guillen was named the thirty-seventh manager in White Sox history on November 3rd, 2003; he became the first native of Venezuela to manage a major-league team and is one of seven minority managers in the major leagues, along with San Francisco's Felipe Alou, the Cub's Dusty Baker, Pittsburgh's Lloyd McClendon, Kansas City's Tony Pena, the Mets' Willie Randolf, and Washington's Frank Robinson; he is one of only three Latin managers in Major League Baseball and is the first Venezuelan manager to ever win the World Series of Major League Baseball; and

WHEREAS, Manager Ozzie Guillen has demonstrated allegiance to the city of Chicago and the State of Illinois by becoming a coach of the Chicago White Sox, a tenure lasting over 18 years in the city of Chicago; Ozzie is one of six managers running their former team; and

WHEREAS, Ozzie Guillen played for the Chicago White Sox for sixteen years, from 1985 to 1997; during that time, he played in three All-Star games; he ranks as the best all-time White Sox shortstop with a .976 fielding percentage; he was awarded the 1985 Rookie of the Year Award and received the Gold Glove Award in 1990; and

WHEREAS, For the last six years, Ozzie Guillen has headed the Ozzie Guillen Foundation, a foundation that has helped children suffering from AIDS and cancer and children from underprivileged families; he was honored by the city of Chicago with "Ozzie Guillen Week" for his efforts in embracing Chicago's Latin American community; and

WHEREAS, Ozzie Guillen is one of only six Chicago White Sox manager's to win the American League Pennant, and is one of only three White Sox manager's to win the Central Division Title; and

WHEREAS, The 2005 Chicago White Sox, led by coach and manager, Ozzie Guillen, won the American League Central Division with 99 wins and 63 losses and entered the post-season by defeating the 2004 MLB World Series Champions, the Boston Red Sox, sweeping the Red Sox three games to none in the American League Division Series; and

WHEREAS, The Chicago White Sox soundly defeated the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim four games to one to become the first Chicago White Sox team in forty-six years to reach the World Series; and

WHEREAS, The 2005 Chicago White Sox are the first Chicago White Sox team in eighty-eight years to become Major League Baseball's World Champions; and

WHEREAS, Ozzie Guillen is the third manager in White Sox franchise history to win the World Series of Major League Baseball by sweeping the Houston Astros; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize and applaud Oswaldo "Ozzie" Guillen for his accomplishments, enthusiasm, and vision during the 2005 season, for his dedication and community service to the city of Chicago and the State of Illinois, and for his outstanding leadership throughout the 2005 season; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Ozzie Guillen and the Chicago White Sox organization.