HR0514LRB101 14336 MST 63243 r


  
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the
death of Benton 
4native, Brandon Pinson, who was killed on September 3, 2019 
5while
defusing an explosive device; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, Brandon Pinson was a civilian employee of 
7Facilities Services Directorate (FSD), a Geneva,

8Switzerland-based humanitarian, nongovernmental organization 
9that clears explosives that
threaten civilian populations in 
10countries affected by war; and
 
11    WHEREAS, The Iraqi Directorate of Mine Action has opened an 
12investigation into the incident,
though an initial review has 
13determined it was an accident and did not involve third 
14parties; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Brandon Pinson worked in the area for five months, 
16supervising one of FSD's 12
teams in Iraq; and
  
 
17    WHEREAS, Brandon Pinson, 31, was a U.S. Army veteran and 
18married father of two; he served in the Army from 2008 through 
19last year and did two tours in
Afghanistan; and
  
 
20    WHEREAS, Brandon Pinson was trained at the Naval School 
 
 
HR0514- 2 -LRB101 14336 MST 63243 r

1Explosive Ordnance Disposal at Eglin Air
Force Base in western 
2Florida; and
 
  
3    WHEREAS, Those who knew Brandon Pinson described him as 
4having a great sense of humor and a way
of putting others at 
5ease; he was the kid that would always have your back; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, Brandon Pinson is survived by his wife, Samantha 
7and their two young boys, and his parents, Karen and Robert 
8Pinson; therefore, be it
  
 
9    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
10HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
11we, along with his family and friends, mourn the passing of 
12Brandon Pinson; and be it further
  
 
13    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
14presented to the family of Brandon
Pinson as an expression of 
15our deepest sympathy.