Bill Text: IL HR0439 | 2019-2020 | 101st General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Congratulates Marcus Lemonis on his successful career as a businessman, philanthropist, and visionary.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)

Status: (Passed) 2019-05-31 - Resolution Adopted [HR0439 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2019-HR0439-Introduced.html

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HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives wish to congratulate Marcus Lemonis on his
successful career as a businessman, philanthropist, and
visionary; and
WHEREAS, Marcus Lemonis, who now calls Illinois home, was
born in Beirut, Lebanon during a civil war and foreign invasion
in 1973; he was adopted by Leo and Sophia Lemonis, a couple
living in Miami, Florida, on July 29, 1974; and
WHEREAS, Marcus Lemonis was introduced to the automobile
industry at a young age by his grandfather, who owned two of
the largest Chevrolet dealerships in the United States; and
WHEREAS, After working for his grandfather for several
years, Marcus Lemonis received an offer from family friend and
financial investor Lee Lacocca to start a large recreational
vehicle chain; the offer led to a long and successful career in
the RV dealership business; and
WHEREAS, Marcus Lemonis served as CEO of Holiday RV
Superstores Inc. from June 2001 to February 2003; following
that, he co-founded FreedomRoads and began acquiring RV
dealerships; in 2006, the company merged with Camping World,

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and he served as CEO; in 2011, he oversaw the company's merger
with Good Sam Enterprises; and
WHEREAS, Under the direction of Marcus Lemonis, Camping
World and Good Sam launched Project Good Samaritan as part of
their 2013 goal to foster corporate responsibility; the project
requires a team of nearly 7,000 employees to volunteer 32 hours
per year to causes that are meaningful to them; and
WHEREAS, In October 2016, Camping World went public, and
the stock was valued at $22 per share, giving it a market value
of approximately $2 billion; and
WHEREAS, Marcus Lemonis' philanthropic efforts include
support for the Joffrey Ballet, St. Jude Children's Research
Hospital, the Ravinia Festival, Lincoln Park Zoo, the RV/MH
Hall of Fame, the Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center, National
Voices for Equality, Education, and Enlightenment, New
Journey's Transitional Home, and Neat Stuff; and
WHEREAS, Marcus Lemonis is the host of the CNBC reality
show The Profit, which seeks out promising but faltering small
businesses; in the show, he invests his own money for part
ownership and helps make the businesses profitable; and
WHEREAS, In 2007, Marcus Lemonis was named "Newsmaker of

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the Year" by RV Business Magazine; he is an example of a modern
citizen whose humble beginnings show an American Dream
realized; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we congratulate Marcus Lemonis on his successful career and
commend his philanthropic work; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to Marcus Lemonis as an expression of our esteem and
respect.