HR0931LRB097 21059 GRL 68394 r


  
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of United 
4States Army National Guard Specialist Christopher Alexander 
5Patterson of North Aurora, who gave his life defending 
6America's freedom on January 6, 2012, in the Shah Wali Kot 
7District in Afghanistan; and
  
 
8    WHEREAS, SPC Christopher Patterson was born on April 17, 
91991, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; he was the son of Mary and 
10Robert Patterson; and
  
 
11    WHEREAS, SPC Christopher Patterson graduated from West 
12Aurora High School in June of 2009, where he participated in a 
13variety of musical groups, including the STUDy Hall Choir and 
14the premier A Capella Choir; he also played the trombone in the 
15West Aurora High School bands and enjoyed playing on the West 
16High Chess Team; and
  
 
17    WHEREAS, After graduating from West Aurora High School, SPC 
18Christopher Patterson enlisted in the Indiana Army National 
19Guard in the summer of 2009; he later joined the ROTC at 
20Valparaiso University to become a leader for tomorrow's Army; 
21and
  
 
 
 
HR0931- 2 -LRB097 21059 GRL 68394 r

1    WHEREAS, SPC Christopher Patterson attended Valparaiso 
2University to study music education and was a member of the 
3University Chorale; upon graduation, he hoped to share his love 
4of music and become a vocal music teacher; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Not only was SPC Christopher Patterson a soldier, 
6he was a man of faith; he was raised in the Lutheran faith at 
7Immanuel Lutheran Church, in Batavia; he always stood by his 
8convictions and his family heard from at least 3 people that he 
9brought them back to their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; he 
10did this by sharing Bible verses with them that he felt could 
11help them with problems they had in their lives; and
  
 
12    WHEREAS, SPC Christopher Patterson was the recipient of 
13numerous awards, including the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, 
14the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service 
15Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, 
16the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces 
17Reserve Medal with M device, the Army Service Ribbon, the 
18Overseas Service Medal, the NATO Medal, and the Combat Action 
19Badge; and
  
 
20    WHEREAS, SPC Christopher Patterson dedicated his life to 
21defending America's freedom and made the ultimate sacrifice in 
22service to his nation; he will be dearly missed by his mother, 
23Mary Patterson; his father, Robert Patterson; his brothers, 
 
 
HR0931- 3 -LRB097 21059 GRL 68394 r

1Carl, Sean, and Thomas; his grandparents, Mike and Sally 
2Patterson and Jim and Claire Schneider; his fellow soldiers; 
3the members of the West Aurora High School, Valparaiso 
4University, and Immanuel Lutheran Church communities; and the 
5citizens of a grateful nation; therefore, be it
  
 
6    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
7NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
8we mourn, along with his family, friends, and the members of a 
9grateful nation, the passing of United States Army National 
10Guard Specialist Christopher Alexander Patterson; and be it 
11further
  
 
12    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
13presented to the family of SPC Christopher Patterson as a 
14symbol of our sympathy.