HR0577 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0577 LRB096 13640 GRL 28401 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Thousands of boaters have gone to Lake Michigan from Illinois for recreation, research, and commerce on an annual basis for hundreds of years; and

WHEREAS, Lake Michigan has a reputation as a very dangerous body of water; for those who have had to call a mayday, the United States Coast Guard has answered with assistance; and

WHEREAS, The Marine Safety Unit (MSU) Chicago is responsible for executing the Coast Guard's Port Safety and Security, Marine Environmental Protection, and Commercial Vessel Safety missions under the auspices of the Department of Homeland Security; and

WHEREAS, These missions serve as the underpinnings of the Coast Guard's mission to ensure a safe, secure, and environmentally sound maritime domain that continues to promote recreation, as well as the free flow of commerce on Southern Lake Michigan, as well as the Chicago Area Waterway System and the Illinois River Watershed; and

WHEREAS, MSU Chicago serves an active network of domestic and international maritime interests covering the Lake Michigan shorelines of Illinois and Indiana, as well as 177 miles of the Illinois River System segmented by 7 locks and over 250 bridges; and

WHEREAS, The motto of the Marine Safety Unit Chicago is "Guardians of the Great Lakes"; and

WHEREAS, The Marine Safety Unit dispatched Petty Officer Justin Duggan and his crew out of Calumet Harbor to respond to a mayday distress call from a civilian fishing vessel that was taking on water; and

WHEREAS, The Marine Safety Unit was the first to arrive, saving pilot Kevin Nicholson, his passengers, and the vessel; the crew conducted themselves with professionalism, upholding the highest traditions for the United States Armed Forces and the United States Coast Guard; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor Petty Officer Justin Dugan and the crew of the United States Coast Guard vessel that responded to the distress call as models of professionalism for our public safety officers and emergency first responders; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we commend the Commander of the Marine Safety Unit Chicago for the professionalism and training of his sailors, as was evident in the rescue mission conducted to save Kevin Nicholson, his passengers, and the vessel; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the Commander of the Marine Safety Unit Chicago, the Secretary of the United States Coast Guard, and USCG Petty Officer Justin Duggan and his crew.