HR0530 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0530 LRB096 13341 GRL 28037 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Illinois Army National Guard Sergeant First Class Paul Smith of East Peoria, who was killed in action in Kandahar, Afghanistan on June 19, 2009; and

WHEREAS, SFC Paul Smith graduated from East Peoria High School in 1984; he enlisted to serve in the United States Army in 1993; serving as a tank gunner for 13 years, he and his family traveled all over the world, spending time in Germany, Texas, and Fort Riley, Kansas; no longer wanting to serve in active duty, SFC Smith transferred into the National Guard and the family moved back to East Peoria in 1996; and

WHEREAS, SFC Paul Smith served as a member of the Illinois Army National Guard's 33rd Brigade Combat Team, which was deployed in the summer and fall of 2008 to help train the Afghan Army and National Police; his unit, Troop C, 2nd Battalion of the 106th Cavalry Regiment, was providing protection for Embedded Training Teams and the Afghans at the time of his passing; and

WHEREAS, SFC Paul Smith was employed at G&D Integrated, where he loaded and unloaded semi trucks; and

WHEREAS, SFC Paul Smith enjoyed spending time with his family, maintaining the small fish garden in his backyard, and fixing things; and

WHEREAS, SFC Paul Smith is survived by his wife, Kim Smith, and his children, Ben Smith and Sarah Appenheimer; and

WHEREAS, SFC Paul Smith's patriotism and courage will be remembered fondly by his loving family, his fellow soldiers, and the citizens of our grateful nation; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Sergeant First Class Paul Smith; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of SFC Paul Smith as an expression of our sympathy.