SR0386 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Lieutenant General Everett H. "Ev" Pratt Jr., USAF, Retired, of Prairie Grove, who passed away on March 15, 2017; and

WHEREAS, General Pratt was born in Covington, Georgia to Everett and Ruth (Elliott) Pratt on November 25, 1943; and

WHEREAS, General Pratt entered the United States Air Force in 1964 as a graduate of the Emory University Reserve Officer Training Corps program in Atlanta, Georgia; he was a commander at all levels; he was a command pilot and flew more than 4,000 hours, principally in fighter and trainer aircraft; he flew as a fighter pilot and high-speed forward air controller in Vietnam; he earned a bachelor's degree in international affairs from Emory University; he later graduated from the Air Forces Air Command and Staff College, the Air War College, and the Executive Program in National and International Security at Harvard University; he earned multiple awards and decorations including the Silver Star, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Medal with 29 Oak Leaf Clusters, and an Air Force Commendation Medal; and

WHEREAS, After retiring from the Air Force, General Pratt consulted for and worked at Northrop Grumman as Vice-President of the Defensive Systems Division; during his time as a retired veteran, he was on the board of TLS Veterans in McHenry and Leave No Veteran Behind in Chicago; he was an advocate for CASA and a member of the U.S. Air Force Retiree Council and Disabled American Veterans; and

WHEREAS, General Pratt was an avid golfer and a lifelong fan of the Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Falcons; in his retirement, he enjoyed traveling with his wife, and spending time all over the United States and Europe; and

WHEREAS, General Pratt was the loving husband of 39 years of Joyce (Rafferty); the proud father of Thomas (Christine) and Stephen Pratt; the cherished grandfather of Maeve Pratt; the beloved brother of Sue Loiselle, and Michael (Marty) Pratt; and the uncle to many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Lieutenant General Everett H. "Ev" Pratt Jr., USAF, Retired, and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of General Pratt as an expression of our deepest sympathy.