SR0481 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0481 LRB096 15380 GRL 30533 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of United States Army Staff Sergeant Christopher Rudzinski of Rantoul, who was killed near Kandahar, Afghanistan on October 16, 2009 while conducting military operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom; and

WHEREAS, SSgt. Christopher Rudzinski was born on August 29, 1981, in Augsburg, Germany; he was the son of Michael Charles Rudzinski and Bonita Kay (Jackson) Rudzinski; and

WHEREAS, SSgt. Christopher Rudzinski graduated from Rantoul Township High School in 1999; in high school, he was active in the marching band, madrigal, and Help Peers; and

WHEREAS, SSgt. Christopher Rudzinski grew up in a military family with a tradition of military service in the U.S. Armed Forces dating back to World War II; at the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Army and was sworn into service by his father; and

WHEREAS, SSgt. Christopher Rudzinski attended basic training and armor school at Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he served as an M1 Abrams crewman; he was subsequently assigned to Germany and deployed on his first tour to support peacekeeping operations in Kosovo; after serving in Kosovo, he was transferred to Fort Hood, Texas, where he served with the 4th Infantry Division; in 2003, he was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; toward the end of his deployment in Iraq, he fell ill and was taken to Walter Reed Army Hospital for treatment; and

WHEREAS, After his convalescence at Walter Reed, SSgt. Christopher Rudzinski re-enlisted for service as a military police officer and graduated from MP training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, in 2004; after training, he was once again assigned to Germany, where he met his future wife, Caroline; he was later deployed to Iraq on his 3rd tour to serve as a trainer and mentor to Iraqi policemen; while home on leave during the tour, he married the love of his life; after returning to Germany, he resumed his police duties; he later became an investigator and MP desk sergeant; and

WHEREAS, Following his service in Germany, SSgt. Christopher Rudzinski was sent to Fort Stewart, Georgia; while at Fort Stewart, he was deployed to Afghanistan with the 293rd MP Company, where he was unfortunately killed while performing his duties; and

WHEREAS, SSgt. Christopher Rudzinski was the recipient of numerous military awards for his service to his nation, including the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, 4 Army Commendation Medals, 4 Army Achievement Medals, 3 Army Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Kosovo Campaign Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Driver's Badge, and the German Schutzenschnur Badge in Gold; and

WHEREAS, SSgt. Christopher Rudzinski enjoyed cars, fishing, playing video games, spending time with his friends and family, and traveling to Walt Disney World; and

WHEREAS, SSgt. Christopher Rudzinski was preceded in death by his mother, Bonita, and his beloved sister, Jacqueline Rudzinski; and

WHEREAS, SSgt. Christopher Rudzinski is survived by his wife, Caroline; his son, Ryan; his parents, Michael and Natalie Rudzinski; his sister, Annette Dalton; his brothers, PFC Jordan Rudzinski, and Christian and Alexander Rudzinski; his nephews, Ian and Sean Dalton; his paternal grandmother, Janet Rudzinski; his maternal grandparents, David and Valerie Grindley; his great-grandmother, Nadine Legue; and his aunts and uncles and their families, Eric and Judy Rudzinski, David and Gwen Rudzinski, Oliver and Martina Hemming, Erick and Sonya Grindley, and James and Martha Jackson; and

WHEREAS, SSgt. Christopher Rudzinski's patriotism and courage will be remembered fondly by his loving family and friends, his fellow soldiers, and the citizens of our grateful nation; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of United States Army Staff Sergeant Christopher Rudzinski; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we honor the memory of SSgt. Christopher Rudzinski 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 SSgt. Christopher Rudzinski as an expression of our sympathy.