[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 125 (Thursday, July 30, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E756]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING BURDEEN CHICAGO AND THE ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERSHIP OF GERARDO 
                          AND ROLANDO ALVAREZ

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JONATHAN L. JACKSON

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 30, 2026

  Mr. JACKSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Burdeens 
Chicago, a family-owned small business deeply rooted in the Pilsen and 
Heart of Chicago neighborhoods, and to commend its owners, brothers 
Gerardo and Rolando Alvarez, for their remarkable journey of 
entrepreneurship, resilience, and community stewardship.
  For decades, Burdeens Chicago has stood as a trusted neighborhood 
institution, serving generations of Chicagoans and reflecting the 
cultural pride, economic vitality, and enduring spirit of the 
communities it calls home. Gerardo and Rolando Alvarez, born and raised 
in these neighborhoods, first came to Burdeens not as owners, but as 
young employees in the 1990s, balancing work with their high schooI and 
college studies while learning the fundamentals of retail, customer 
service, and civic responsibility.
  After pursuing professional careers, the brothers returned during a 
pivotal period in the retail industry, lending their leadership and 
vision to help modernize operations, expand the store's online 
presence, and adapt to changing consumer habits--while preserving the 
character and integrity that made Burdeens a neighborhood staple.
  Through strategic foresight, Gerardo and Rolando guided a bold 
evolution of the business, transitioning from a traditional sneaker 
retailer into a nationally recognized destination for fitted hats and 
headwear.
  This transformation positioned Burdeens Chicago at the center of a 
growing cultural movement that blends sports history, design, and 
regional identity, drawing customers from across the Nation and around 
the world.
  During the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 
Alvarez brothers assumed responsibility for day-to-day operations, 
ensuring the survival of the business and preserving a longstanding 
neighborhood presence during a time of economic uncertainty. Following 
this period of stewardship, ownership of Burdeens Chicago was formally 
transferred to the brothers, completing a full-circle journey from 
youth employees to business owners.
  In January 2025, Burdeens Chicago reached another significant 
milestone with the opening of its second location along Little 
Village's iconic 26th Street corridor. This expansion not only reflects 
the continued success of the business but also celebrates and embraces 
the vibrant Mexican American culture of the community it serves.
  Supported by community partners and local investment initiatives, 
this growth underscores the power of neighborhood-based 
entrepreneurship to strengthen local economies and create opportunity.
  Today, Burdeens Chicago stands as a testament to generational 
entrepreneurship, cultural pride, and community-centered growth. 
Through their continued support of local youth, artists, and 
neighborhood organizations, Gerardo and Rolando Alvarez have 
demonstrated that small businesses are not merely commercial 
enterprises, but essential anchors of strong, connected communities.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend Burdeens Chicago and commend Gerardo and 
Rolando Alvarez for their leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment 
to Chicago's neighborhoods, and affirm that their work embodies the 
enduring promise of hard work, heritage, and opportunity that defines 
the American small business tradition.