SR0361 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of United States Marine Corps Captain Thomas John Heitmann of Mendota, who passed away on September 19, 2011; and

WHEREAS, Captain Thomas Heitmann was born on November 23, 1983; his parents are Thomas F. and Mary Therese (Leonard) Heitmann; he attended Holy Cross Grade School and graduated from St. Bede Academy in 2002; while attending St. Bede, he was a top student and a well-respected athlete; and

WHEREAS, After attending St. Bede Academy, Capt. Thomas Heitmann attended Valley Forge Military College in Wayne, Pennsylvania; at Valley Forge, he was involved in the Young Republicans Club, the Business Club, the Officers' Christian Fellowship, the Catholic Fellowship, the Regimental Choir, the Drill Team, and Student Government; in addition to his financial duties as Student Government Treasurer, he coordinated Valley Forge's Martin Luther King Day service project, which aided in constructing an operational center for Mothers Against Violence; he made Valley Forge Military College history by becoming the first first-year cadet to achieve the rank of Cadet Second Lieutenant (2LT); as 2LT, he supervised the development of our nation's service academy's Prepster Program and Valley Forge's Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Early Commissioning Program; he was also inducted into the Anthony Wayne Legion Guard prior to leaving Valley Forge; and

WHEREAS, Capt. Thomas Heitmann was accepted to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida; he was the recipient of the National Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Marine Option Scholarship in the fall of 2006, beating out every Midshipman in the nation for the prestigious award; he also received the physical fitness and leadership awards; and

WHEREAS, Capt. Thomas Heitmann was heavily involved in the performing arts; he played the role of Jesus in the Open Door Stage Company's performance of "Godspell"; he also performed at Carnegie Hall in New York with the Regimental Choir; and

WHEREAS, Capt. Thomas Heitmann was commissioned as an officer in the United States Marine Corps in 2008; after completing his training at the Naval Air Stations in Corpus Christi, Texas, and Pensacola, Florida, he continued to be recognized for his academic abilities and leadership qualities; in 2011, he earned his wings and was assigned to fly the AH-1W Cobra attack helicopter at Camp Pendleton in California; he was assigned to Training Squadron 303, Marine Aircraft Group 39 of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California at the time of his passing; and

WHEREAS, Capt. Thomas Heitmann was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother; his maternal step-grandmother; his paternal grandfather; and his paternal step-grandfather; and

WHEREAS, Capt. Thomas Heitmann is survived by his parents, Tom and Mary Therese (Leonard) Heitmann; his brother, Aaron Heitmann; his sisters, Rachel (Dave) Christensen, Hannah (Matt) Pozzi, Sarah (Abe) Henkel, and Mary Elizabeth Heitmann; his paternal grandmother, Eleanore Sjostrom; his maternal grandfather, James Leonard; his nieces, Ella and Nora Henkel; his nephews, Terrapin and Xavier Christensen; and his many aunts and uncles; and

WHEREAS, Capt. Thomas Heitmann'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 SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of United States Marine Corps Captain Thomas John Heitmann; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Capt. Thomas Heitmann as an expression of our sympathy.