HJ0084 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, It is highly fitting that the Illinois General Assembly pays honor and respect to the truly great individuals who have served our country and, in doing so, have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation; and

WHEREAS, United States Army Ranger Sergeant Joshua P. Rodgers of Bloomington was killed in action at the age of 22 on April 27, 2017 in Nangarhar Province during a joint operation with Afghan forces; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Rodgers was assigned to Company C, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, and stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia; he was on his third deployment to Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Rodgers was born in Bloomington to Kevin and Vonda Coulter Rodgers on August 22, 1994; he attended Northpoint Elementary School, Kingsley Junior High School, and Normal Community High School; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from high school in May of 2013, Sgt. Rodgers enlisted in the United States Army in order to serve his country; he completed One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning as an infantryman and following completion of the Basic Airborne Course, he was assigned to the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program 1 (RASP 1), also at Fort Benning; he graduated from RASP 1 and was then assigned to 2nd Platoon, C Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, where he served as a machine gunner, light machine gunner, gun team leader, and ranger fire team leader; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Rodgers was deployed three times to Afghanistan; he earned the coveted Ranger Tab, the Parachutist Badge, and the Marksmanship Qualification Badge Expert-Rifle; he was awarded the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, and the NATO Medal; posthumously, he was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal with Valor; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Rodgers loved his country, his family and friends, the military, and especially his fellow Rangers and regiment; he knew his purpose in life and was living out his dream; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Rodgers was an amazing friend with a big heart; through hard work and determination he continually led by example and made everyone around him proud; his generosity was unwavering and if you needed anything from him he was always there; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Rodgers was preceded in death by his grandfather, Mike Rodgers; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Rodgers is survived by his parents, Kevin and Vonda Rodgers; his sisters, Emily Rodgers and Hannah Rodgers (Nathan Lloilo); his brother, Ashton Rodgers; his niece, Victoria Rodgers; his grandparents, Russ and Diana Coulter and Christine Rodgers; and his aunts, uncles, and cousins, Duane, Trish, Makayla, and Delanie Fisher, Joe and Carrie, Tyler, Cecil, and Charlie Rodgers, and Dan, Marcie, and Charlotte Rodgers; and

WHEREAS, Every person who honorably serves in the military knows and accepts great personal risk, and chooses to serve anyway; Sgt. Rodgers was, and forever will be, a warrior: tenacious, humble, determined, and supportive; he was a true inspiration to everyone who knew him; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate Veterans Parkway in the Cities of Bloomington and Normal from the intersection of Interstate 74 to intersection of Interstate 55 as the "Army Ranger Sergeant Joshua P. Rodgers 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 "Army Ranger Sergeant Joshua P. Rodgers Memorial Highway"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the family of Sgt. Rodgers, the Mayor of Bloomington, the Mayor of Normal, and the Secretary of Transportation.