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1
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, It is highly fitting that the Illinois General

3Assembly pays honor and respect to the truly great individuals

4who have served our country and, in doing so, have made the  
5ultimate sacrifice for our nation; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, Army Sgt. Kenneth R.  Nichols, Jr. was killed in 
7Kunar Province, Afghanistan on December 1, 2009 when his unit 
8was attacked by small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades; 
9and
 
10    WHEREAS, Sgt. Nichols grew up in Chrisman; he graduated 
11from Georgetown-Ridge High School in 2000 and joined the United 
12States Army 5 years later; and
  
 
13    WHEREAS, Sgt. Nichols was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 
1412th Infantry Regiment, 4th
Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry 
15Division out of Fort Carson, Colorado and was serving in 
16Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom; and
  
 
17    WHEREAS, Sgt. Nichols was a 4-year Army veteran; he served 
18a tour in Iraq from October of 2006 to
December of 2007; and
  
 
19    WHEREAS, Sgt. Nichols enjoyed playing pranks, riding his 
20Harley-Davidson, and hanging out in a shed he
built behind his 
 
 
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1Colorado Springs, Colorado home; and
  
 
2    WHEREAS, Sgt. Nichols is survived by his wife, Lexi; his 
3father, Kenneth R. Nichols, Sr.; his 4 children, Brhyleigh, 
4Kenneth III, Branden, and Pailynn; and 2 sisters, Lisa and 
5Cindy; therefore, be it
  
 
6    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
7NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE 
8SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate the section of 
9Illinois Route 1 that runs from the south end of Westville to 
10Georgetown as the "Sgt. Kenneth R. Nichols, Jr. Memorial 
11Highway"; and be it further
 
12    RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Transportation 
13is requested to erect at suitable locations, consistent with 
14State and federal regulations, appropriate plaques or signs

15giving notice of the name "Sgt. Kenneth R. Nichols, Jr. 
16Memorial Highway"; and be it further
  
 
17    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be 
18presented to the family of Sgt. Nichols and the Secretary of 
19the Department of Transportation.