HR0705 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0705 LRB104 21014 MST 34908 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Abbey Murphy on winning an Olympic Gold Medal with the United States Women's Olympic Hockey Team at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy; and

WHEREAS, Abbey Murphy is a native of Evergreen Park and a graduate of Mother McAuley High School and has reached the pinnacle of athletic achievement; and

WHEREAS, Abbey Murphy's part in this historic victory was secured on February 19, 2026 in a thrilling 2-1 overtime win against rival Canada, marking the first gold medal for Team USA in women's hockey since 2018 and only the third in the program's history; and

WHEREAS, Abbey Murphy's journey to a gold medal began in the south suburbs, where she played as the only girl on a team of boys for the St. Jude Knights Hockey Club in Crestwood and later spent eight years with the Chicago Mission youth team, developing the gritty and tough playing mentality that has become her trademark; and

WHEREAS, Abbey Murphy, a veteran of the 2022 silver medal team, returned to the Olympic stage as a "hockey unicorn", uniquely blending elite offensive skill with a tenacious, gritty style of play that earned her the reputation as a "game changer" and a "pest" whom opponents found impossible to ignore; and

WHEREAS, Abbey Murphy was a vital offensive engine throughout the 2026 games, recording two goals and five assists, including a dominant performance in the 5-0 semifinal victory over Sweden; and

WHEREAS, Abbey Murphy's impact was felt beyond the stat sheet through her unparalleled ability to draw penalties and disrupt opponents, as evidenced by her drawing four penalties single-handedly in a preliminary match up against Canada; and

WHEREAS, Abbey Murphy continues to serve as a leader in the sport as a captain for the University of Minnesota, where she has led the nation in both goals and competitive spirit; and

WHEREAS, Abbey Murphy carries the pride of her community with her every time she hits the ice, including the residents of Evergreen Park, the nearby neighborhoods of Beverly and Mount Greenwood in Chicago, and other south suburbs that rallied behind their hometown hero with watch parties and celebrations; and

WHEREAS, Abbey Murphy has been supported in her athletic journeys by her family, including her father, Ed, who played college football, served in the U.S. Marines, and currently works as a pipefitter for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, her mother, Lynne, who played softball and currently works as a nurse, her brother, Patrick, who played college football, and her brother, Dominic, who was a college wrestler; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Abbey Murphy on winning an Olympic Gold Medal and commend her for her dedication, her resilience, and the exemplary manner in which she represented the State of Illinois and the United States of America; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Abbey Murphy as a symbol of our esteem and pride in her remarkable accomplishments.