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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING MR. WALKER HARRIS JR. FOR HIS COMMITMENT AND LEADERSHIP IN THE WEST GARFIELD COMMUNITY
WHEREAS, Walker Harris Jr. at a very young age, aspired to be a businessman, and was given the framework during his high school years while working after school and on weekends for an African American businessman; and
WHEREAS, Walker Harris Jr. after high school, while taking an extended vacation in Chicago with his sister and her husband, saw and took advantage of an opportunity to make his dream a reality; and
WHEREAS, Walker Harris Jr. at the age of eighteen became employed at the City Ice Company, as a bagger., and quickly learned the ice business and it distribution process; and
WHEREAS, Walker Harris Jr, learned that one of the drivers was retiring and looking to sell his route, Mr. Harris purchased the drivers list of customers and started his own company; and
WHEREAS, Walker Harris Jr.; Ice Company officially started on March 15, 1972. Soon, after learning that City Ice was in the process of closing the distribution warehouse, he purchased the warehouse in the fall of 1973; and
WHEREAS, Walker Harris Jr; began to soliciting new business and hired two drivers. By the end of 1978, Mr. Harris had five refrigerated trucks and continued to update his plant, so he could manufacture large quantities of ice on the premises to meet the demands of his customers. Additional storage rooms and a garage for parking were added. And in 1981 an office building was constructed and an annexed to the old warehouse building; and
WHEREAS, Walker Harris Jr; Ice Company, provides services to wholesale, retail, and commercial businesses, including movie and television industry. His company manufactures and distributes cube, block, crushed and snow cone ice; and
WHEREAS, Walker Harris Jr; is certified as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) with the City of
Chicago, Cook County, the Illinois Department of Central Management and the Chicago Minority
Supplier Development Council. Despite his demanding schedule as an entrepreneur, Mr. Harris is deeply committed to serving his church, and his community. “Through God’s Grace, hard work, and determination with unwavering support of his family and friends, he became the businessman that he is today.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer of 2nd District on behalf of President Toni Preckwinkle, the Cook County Board of Commissioners and on behalf of the over five million residents of Cook County, on this 29th day of July do hereby recognized Walker Harris Jr. for his Outstanding Commitment and Leadership in the West Garfield Community, and so wish Walker Harris Jr. every continued success in his future endeavors.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be tendered to Walker Harris Jr. and a copy is spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body
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