HR0797 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0797 LRB100 18928 ALS 34174 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Henry Irving Thomas Jr., who passed away on January 27, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Henry Thomas Jr. was born in Chicago to Henry Sr. and Gloria (Ward) Thomas on April 5, 1953; he was raised on the South Side and attended Harlan High School, where he was a star basketball player; one of his greatest accomplishments was when the basketball team beat DuSable to win the Chicago City Championship in 1970; he attended Bradley University on a full basketball scholarship; he graduated in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, and he then attended DePaul University, where he received his Juris Doctor and Legum Magister in Taxation; and

WHEREAS, Henry Thomas Jr. worked as a specialist with Cooper & Lybrand, now PricewaterhouseCoopers, for several years; while at DePaul on a teaching fellowship, he created the school's first sports law course, which he taught for 23 years; he joined the Chicago law firm Carney & Brothers, Ltd. in 1984; there, he signed his first client, Tim Hardaway; and

WHEREAS, In 1989, Thomas Henry Jr. formed his own management company, Thomas Sports Management (TSM); his clients included NBA players Lindsay Hunter, Michael Finley, Donnie Boyce, Anthony Parker and Charles Smith; in 2002, he sold TSM to Collegiate Sports Management Group (CSMG), and in his first year, signed Tim James, Marcus Fizer, Bobbi Simmons, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, Udonis Haslem, Dee Brown, and Ronnie Brewer; and

WHEREAS, In 2009, Henry Thomas Jr. joined entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA), where he was instrumental in building the foundation of its basketball group and establishing the agency's presence in Chicago; in addition to adding TJ Warren, DeAndre Liggins, and Manny Harris, he also managed the increasing demands of two of the "Big 3" Miami Heat Players; and

WHEREAS, Henry Thomas Jr. had the ability to connect with athletes on a personal level, which made him effective and beloved; he remained close to his Harlan High School roots and his 95th Street community; in 2011, he spearheaded the effort to refurbish the gym floor at Harlan High school, which commemorated the 40th anniversary of the City Championship win; the new floor was named after his high school coach and mentor, Lee Umbles; and

WHEREAS, Henry Thomas Jr. is survived by his wife, Susan; his daughters, Hillary and Jaye; his son, Ryan; his sister, Sharon (Douglas); his niece, Lindsay (Andy); and his grandniece Rilyn; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Henry Irving Thomas Jr. 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 Henry Thomas Jr. as an expression of our deepest sympathy.