SJ0035 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0035 LRB100 12471 MST 25375 r

SENATE 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, Senior Chief Petty Officer William "Ryan" Owens of Peoria, enlisted in the United States Navy in August of 1998; he entered Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) Training in Coronado, California on June 14, 2001; he graduated in September of 2002, after six months of the most grueling and demanding training in the military; and

WHEREAS, Senior Chief Owens was a highly decorated combat veteran with numerous awards and 12 deployments; his awards include the Silver Star, the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, three Bronze Star Medals with Valor, a Bronze Star Medal, a Purple Heart Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Joint Service Commendation Medals with Valor, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and numerous other personal and unit decorations; and

WHEREAS, On January 29, 2017, Senior Chief Owens died from wounds sustained while in combat supporting overseas contingency operations; and

WHEREAS, Senior Chief Owens is survived by his wife, their three children, and his father; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate Illinois Route 29 within the Chillicothe city limits as the "Senior Chief Petty Officer William "Ryan" Owens 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 the "Senior Chief Petty Officer William "Ryan" Owens Memorial Highway"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the family of Senior Chief Owens, Chillicothe Mayor Douglas P. Crew, and the Secretary of the Department of Transportation.