HR1587

LRB095 22794 KXB 53227 r






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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
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Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of United 
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States Army Private First Class Ja'Mel Bryant, of Belleville, 
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who was killed in action in Iraq, on September 27, 2008; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Ja'Mel A. Bryant died after a vehicle accident 
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while he was on patrol in Wahida, Iraq;

U.S. Army Private First 
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Class Bryant was part of the 40th Engineer Battalion in the 1st 
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Armored Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team in Baumholder, 
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Germany; he left for Iraq in April and returned briefly to the 
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United States in June before resuming his tour in Iraq; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Ja'Mel Bryant, who started a music career in 
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Belleville, joined the Army in 2006 because he wanted to change 
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his life for the better; he loved music and he loved children, 
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and often passed candy out to children in Iraq; and

 
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    WHEREAS, He taught himself how to play the piano and 
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recently produced a rap song with friends in Iraq about the 
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troubles he had growing up in order to help other children; and

 
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    WHEREAS, He wanted to go to school for engineering or for 
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music after the army; he was a former student at Belleville 
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West High School and remembered as a good student and a good 
 


 






HR1587
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LRB095 22794 KXB 53227 r




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citizen; and

 
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    WHEREAS,

Ja'Mel Bryant is survived by his mother, Cecilia 
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Eiland; his father, Antonio Bryant Sr.; his brother, Antonio 
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Bryant Jr.; his grandmother, Barbara Eiland; and his fiancee, 
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Rochelle Jumper; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of United 
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States Army Private First Class Ja'Mel Bryant; and be it 
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further

 
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    RESOLVED, That we honor the memory of United States Army 
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Private First Class Ja'Mel Bryant and his willingness to serve 
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his country, which led to him making the ultimate sacrifice; 
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and be it further
 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to the family of United States Army Private First 
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Class Ja'Mel Bryant as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.