HJ0074 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0074 LRB099 12316 GRL 35406 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, It is highly fitting that the Illinois General Assembly pays honor and respect to individuals who gave their lives in the line of duty; and

WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Joshua Melton was born on October 8, 1982 in Breese; his parents were Michael Melton and Debbie Brown; he married Larissa Melton on July 22, 2006 at St. Boniface Church in Germantown; and

WHEREAS, SSG Joshua Melton served his country with pride and distinction as a member of the Illinois Army National Guard, joining a year before his graduation from Central Community High School in Breese; he was on his second deployment after serving in Iraq from December of 2004 to March of 2006; and

WHEREAS, SSG Joshua Melton enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, especially his daughter, Aubrey; he enjoyed remote controlled cars and making everyone laugh; he was also an avid hunter and fisherman; and

WHEREAS, SSG Joshua Melton was a member of Carlyle Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3523; and

WHEREAS, SSG Joshua Melton was preceded in death by his grandparents, Clarice and Bill Reddick; his grandfather, Jenks Edward Warren; his grandmother, Nadine Melton; his uncles, Dennis Melton and Tim Hitpas; and his aunt, Doris Legate; and

WHEREAS, SSG Joshua Melton is survived by his wife, Larissa Melton, who is now married to Jon Kampwerth and has a daughter, Aniston; his daughter, Aubrey Melton; his mother, Debbie (Warren) Brown; his brother, Dustin (Lauren) Melton and their children, Hunter and Aliya; his father-in-law, Steve Verdeyen; his mother-in-law, Carolyn (Rick) Pennington; his sister-in-law, Andrea (Jacob) Richter; his grandfather, Elmer Melton, and his many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends; and

WHEREAS, SSG Joshua Melton served as a model of patriotism, courage, and integrity for the people of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate the portion of United States Route 50 between the Cities of Carlyle and Breese as the SSG Joshua Melton Memorial Highway; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Department of Transportation is requested to erect at suitable locations, consistent with State and federal regulations, appropriate plaques or signs giving notice of the name; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the family of SSG Joshua Melton and the Secretary of the Department of Transportation.