SR0690 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0690 LRB093 23530 RAS 53525 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois were deeply saddened to learn of the death of United States Marine Sergeant Benjamin "Mudcat" Smith, of Carterville, on September 22, 2004 in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Smith was born on June 7, 1980 in DuQuion to James D. and Kimberlee S. (Cowan) Smith; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Smith was stationed at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, California; he was a tank commander with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Charlie Company; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Smith was killed in an explosion while working in Al-Anbar province; he was serving his second tour of duty in Iraq; he was admired for his leadership qualities; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Smith was a 1999 graduate of Carterville High School; he participated and lettered in both track and football for four years; he was a member of the 1996 Carterville High School State Football 3A championship team; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Smith was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing, hunting, and camping; he also enjoyed playing pool, listening to country music, going to rodeos, and visiting Disneyland with his fiancee, Kerri Blum; his greatest joy was coming home to spend time with his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Smith was known to some to be a shy and quiet individual; to his family, he was occasionally known to be a protective older brother and always known to be a jokester with a lively sense of humor; Sergeant Smith will be remembered by many as a heroic young man, deserving of honor; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Sergeant Benjamin Smith has been deeply felt by many, especially his parents, Jim and Kim Smith; his sister and brother-in-law, Jamie and Josh Qualls; his brother, Jacob Smith; his grandparents, David "Bones" and Mary Smith, Helen Sue Cowan, and Robert "Cusser" and Louise Cowan; his fiancee, Kerri Blum; his three nieces; his nephew; and a host of loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and other relatives; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Smith was preceded in death by eight great-grandparents and one uncle; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that together with his family, friends, and this great nation, we mourn the passing of Sergeant Benjamin Smith, United States Marine Corps, and extend to his family and friends our sincerest condolences; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we honor the memory of Sergeant Benjamin "Mudcat" Smith and his willingness to serve our country, which led to him making the ultimate sacrifice; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Sergeant Benjamin Smith, United States Marine Corps, as an expression of our deepest sympathy during their time of loss.