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SR 239

Honoring Jim Kelly for his stalwart service to the Legislative Service Commission.

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Nickie Antonio and 32 co-sponsors

Ceremonial SR 239 adjourns the Senate in honor of Ulysses L. Junior Bridgeman, recognizing his athletic, business, and civic contributions and extending sympathy to his family.

Adopted
0
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Bill Summary · SR 239

Summary — SR 239 (Senate Resolution): Adjournment in honor and loving memory of Ulysses Lee “Junior” Bridgeman

Main purpose

SR 239 is a ceremonial Senate resolution recognizing the life, accomplishments, and community service of Ulysses Lee “Junior” Bridgeman and directing that the Senate adjourn in his honor and loving memory. It expresses the Senate’s sympathy to his family and acknowledges his contributions in athletics, business, and civic life.

Key provisions

  • Expresses the Senate’s “most profound sympathy” on the passing of Junior Bridgeman and recognizes his accomplishments in athletics and business and his community service (Section 1).
  • Orders that when the Senate adjourns on the day of adoption, it do so “in honor and loving memory” of Junior Bridgeman (Section 2).
  • Directs the Clerk of the Senate to transmit a copy of the resolution to the Office of Senator Gerald Neal for presentation to Bridgeman’s family (Section 3).

The resolution text also recounts Bridgeman’s biography and notable achievements, including:
- Early life: native of East Chicago, Indiana; member of East Chicago Washington High School’s undefeated 1971 Indiana championship team.
- College: standout guard at the University of Louisville; Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year (1974, 1975); led Cardinals to the 1975 Final Four; collegiate averages and team record (15.5 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 2.7 APG; team record 72–17 over three seasons).
- Professional career: selected 8th overall in the 1975 NBA Draft, long NBA career (12 seasons, 849 games, 13.6 PPG), role with Milwaukee Bucks (sixth man; jersey No. 2 retired); part-owner interest in the Bucks.
- Business and civic activities: owner/investor in hundreds of Wendy’s and Chili’s restaurants (sold 2016); Bridgeman Foods, Inc.; Coca‑Cola bottler (2017); purchaser of Ebony and Jet (2020); investments via Manna Capital Partners including bottling and aluminum ventures; service on numerous Louisville boards and civic organizations.

Who is affected

  • Primarily symbolic — Bridgeman’s family, friends, the University of Louisville, the Louisville community, and organizations he supported receive formal recognition.
  • No regulatory or fiscal impacts; the resolution is ceremonial and does not create legal obligations or appropriations.

Procedural history

  • Introduced in the Senate and recorded on the Senate calendar in March 2025.
  • Legislative records indicate the resolution was adopted by voice vote; official entries show readings/adoptions and enrollment activity in March–April 2025.
  • The Clerk was directed to transmit a copy to Senator Gerald Neal’s office for delivery to the family.

Sponsors

Primary sponsors listed: RaShaun Kemp; Ed Harbison; Derek Mallow; Freddie Powell Sims; Harold Jones II; Gail Davenport; Graciela Guzmán. (Other Senate members are referenced in earlier drafts.)

Notes

  • SR 239 is a memorial/adjournment resolution (ceremonial). It records Bridgeman’s date of passing (March 11, 2025) and highlights both athletic and business legacies.
  • The legislative packet contains multiple draft texts and unrelated inserts (including a draft honoring a different individual and an unrelated Illinois Nutrition Month resolution). The final adopted text pertains to Ulysses Lee “Junior” Bridgeman as summarized above.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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