HJ0047 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0047 LRB098 13540 MST 48065 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, It is important to recognize those who contributed to the betterment of the State of Illinois through public service; and

WHEREAS, It is highly fitting that the Illinois General Assembly pays honor and respect to individuals who gave their lives in the service of the State; and

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Christopher "Chris" R. Brown of Hudson, who passed away on March 5, 2013; and

WHEREAS, Christopher Brown was born on November 9, 1973 in Hershey, Pennsylvania to Michael R. and Pamela S. Walters Brown; he graduated from Charleston High School in 1992 and married Amie Melton on June 7, 1997 in Peoria; and

WHEREAS, Christopher Brown was a 12-year member of the Bloomington Fire Department; he was also a 3-year member of the Hudson Community Fire Department and a 2-year member of the Peoria Heights Fire Department and the Morton Fire Department; he was a member of the Associated Firefighters of Illinois Honor Guard; and

WHEREAS, Christopher Brown enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing, camping, playing hockey, and watching the Chicago Blackhawks; and

WHEREAS, Christopher Brown was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Willis W. Walters; his paternal grandfather, Jack Brown; and his paternal uncle, Dana A. Clark; and

WHEREAS, Christopher Brown is survived by his wife, Amie; his sons, Max and Mason; his parents; his brother, Anthony M. (Kimberly) Brown; his sister, Jennifer Renee (Frank) Radek; his maternal grandmother, Beverly J. Behnke; his paternal grandmother, Barbara L. Kline; his in-laws, Robert and Joan Melton; and his many aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews; and

WHEREAS, Christopher Brown was killed in the line of duty while responding to a traffic accident on Interstate 39; and

WHEREAS, On March 8, 2013 Governor Quinn ordered flags flown at half-staff to honor firefighter Christopher Brown from March 9, 2013 through sunset on March 11, 2013; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate the section of Interstate 39 between Exit 8 and Exit 5 the Firefighter Christopher R. Brown Memorial Highway; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Transportation is requested to erect at suitable locations, consistent with State and federal regulations, appropriate plaques or signs giving notice of the name; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the family of Christopher R. Brown, the Bloomington Fire Department, the Hudson Community Fire Department, the Peoria Heights Fire Department, the Morton Fire Department, and the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation.