HR0633LRB097 14765 KXB 59790 r


  
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives are pleased to congratulate Army Chief Warrant 
4Officer 4 Walter Brian Harris of Glen Carbon on being awarded 
5the Soldier's Medal; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, Walter Harris was presented with the Soldier's 
7Medal for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict 
8with an armed enemy on December 2, 2006, while responding to a 
9family emergency; without regard for his own safety and 
10well-being, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Harris entered a poisonous 
11house that had 8 times the lethal limit of carbon monoxide in 
12it after learning that several family members were trapped 
13inside; he rescued his semi-conscious father-in-law and 
14treated him for shock, and re-entered the house to carry out 
15the body of his deceased mother-in-law before succumbing to 
16carbon monoxide poisoning himself; and
  
 
17    WHEREAS, The courage and heroic action of Walter Harris are 
18in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and 
19reflect well on him, the Defense Information Systems Agency, 
20and the United States Army; and
  
 
21    WHEREAS, Walter Harris is the first Army Reservist to 
22receive the Soldier's Medal and only the sixth person in the 
 
 
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1State's history to receive the Soldier's Medal; and
  
 
2    WHEREAS, The Soldier's Medal is awarded to any person of 
3the Armed Forces of the United States or of a friendly foreign 
4nation who, while serving in any capacity with the Army of the 
5United States, distinguishes himself or herself by heroism not 
6involving actual conflict with an enemy; and
 
7    WHEREAS, During his service, Walter Harris has also been 
8honored with the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service 
9Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement, 
10Army Achievement Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Good 
11Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with 6 
12Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest 
13Asia Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, 
14Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, 
15Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Armed Forces 
16Reserve Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army 
17Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Reserve 
18Components Overseas Training Ribbon, Kuwait Liberation 
19Medal-Saudi Arabia, Kuwait Liberation Medal-Kuwait, Joint 
20Meritorious Unit Award with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, and Army 
21Meritorious Unit Commendation; and
  
 
22    WHEREAS, Walter Harris serves as a model example of 
23military service for the people of the State of Illinois; 
 
 
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1therefore, be it
  
 
2    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
3NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
4we congratulate Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Walter Brian 
5Harris on being awarded the Soldier's Medal and wish him the 
6best in his future endeavors; and be it further
  
 
7    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
8presented to Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Walter Brian Harris 
9as a symbol of our respect and esteem.