HR0759 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0759 LRB096 15771 GRL 31011 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, On December 5, 2009, legendary radio personality Herbert Rogers "The Cool Gent" Kent will be inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records for having the longest career by a deejay in the history of radio; and

WHEREAS, Herb Kent's career in radio began in 1944 at WBEZ while he was a 16-year-old student at Hyde Park High School; his career has spanned 65 years at 11 different radio stations in the Chicagoland area, including 17 years at WVON and 20 years at WVAZ; and

WHEREAS, In 1995, Herb Kent was the first African-American deejay inducted into the Museum of Broadcast Communications' Radio Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Herb Kent still hosts the top-rated music shows in Chicago on Saturdays from 8:00 A.M. to noon and on Sundays from noon to 7:00 P.M. on WVAZ/V-103 Radio; and

WHEREAS, For the past 5 years, Herb Kent has taught radio broadcasting to students at Chicago State University; and

WHEREAS, Herb Kent has chronicled his amazing life and career in his best selling autobiography titled "The Cool Gent: The Nine Lives of Radio Legend Herb Kent", with co-author David Smallwood and a foreword by Chicago Mayor Richard Daley; and

WHEREAS, Real Men Cook Charities will honor Herb Kent with a 65th Radio Anniversary Celebration on December 5, 2009 at the South Shore Cultural Center, where Guinness representatives will present him with his World Record; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Herbert Rogers "The Cool Gent" Kent on the occasion of being inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records and wish him continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Herb Kent as a symbol of our esteem and respect.