Bill Text: IL SR0793 | 2017-2018 | 100th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Edward H. Schmitt of Aurora.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)

Status: (Passed) 2017-08-13 - Resolution Adopted [SR0793 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2017-SR0793-Introduced.html

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SR0793 LRB100 13498 MST 28239 r
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
learn of the death of Edward H. Schmitt of Aurora, who passed
away on July 7, 2017; and
WHEREAS, Edward Schmitt was born in Chicago to Henry P. and
Anne Kemp Schmitt on August 26, 1925; he graduated from Hyde
Park High School in 1943; and
WHEREAS, Edward Schmitt enlisted in the United States Army
on his 18th birthday; he was part of the Fifth Division and saw
combat in World War II from the landing on Omaha beach until
the end of the war; his unit fought in Northern France at
Normandy and in the Battle of Metz; he also fought in the
Battle of the Bulge; his division was the first of the Allied
troops to cross the Rhine River on March 7, 1945, and in May of
1945, they entered Czechoslovakia and liberated the Mauthausen
Gusen concentration camp; he was awarded the Combat Infantry
Badge, two Bronze Star Medals, two Purple Heart Medals, and the
Medal of Metz; and
WHEREAS, After returning from the war, Ed Schmitt moved to
Aurora and managed a farm in Sugar Grove for five years; he
graduated from DePaul University in 1952 and married Marie
Clare Collins on August 23, 1952; in 1964, he started his

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career with the McDonald's Corporation as an executive manager
trainee; in 1968, he became vice president of the Chicago
region; that same year, he awarded the first African American
franchise to Herman Petty in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Edward Schmitt moved the regional office from
Chicago to Oak Brook and the headquarters would follow a few
years later; in 1977, he became president of the McDonald's
Corporation; he is credited with the development and national
launch of McDonald's breakfast menu; he also expanded
drive-thru service from one restaurant in Texas to across the
nation; he awarded the first Hispanic franchise in Nogales,
Arizona and promoted Sandy Brooks, the first woman vice
president outside of Ray Kroc's secretary; he helped to build
the first Ronald McDonald House in Philadelphia and make it
McDonald's national charity; in 1982, he was elected to the
position of vice chairman; in that role, he traveled organizing
the structure for the company's expansion around the globe; in
April of 1986, he resigned to become a franchisee in Aurora
with his sons Ed Jr. and Richard; he remained involved into his
80s, working behind the counter waiting on customers; and
WHEREAS, Edward Schmitt served on the boards of the Old
Second National Bank of Aurora, the Aurora Civic Authority, the
Paramount Arts Center, the Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital,
the Provena Medical Center (now Presence), and was chair of the

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board of trustees of Benedictine University in Lisle; he was
instrumental in the relocation and building of Aurora Central
Catholic High School; he was a member of Holy Angels Parish for
71 years; and
WHEREAS, Edward Schmitt was preceded in death by his
parents and his brother, Robert; and
WHEREAS, Edward Schmitt is survived by his wife of 64
years, Marie Clare; his children, Ed Jr. (Mary) and Richard
(Corinne); his grandchildren, Edward III, Sarah Schmitt Fruy
(Jay), and Evan and Alec Schmitt; his great-grandson, Hunter
Fruy; and many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
Edward H. Schmitt, and extend our sincere condolences to his
family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the family of Edward Schmitt as an expression of
our deepest sympathy.