HR0475 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0475 LRB099 12327 MST 35429 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize the sacrifice made by United States Army Specialist Ron Gebur, who passed away in Iraq on May 13, 2006; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Gebur was a platoon leader assigned as a sniper with the U.S. Army 4th Infantry Division based at Fort Hood, Texas; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Gebur was deployed on a mission to Iraq on December 13, 2005; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Kevin Marsh, the Battalion Surgeon of the 1-22 Infantry wrote that just prior to his death, Specialist Gebur had been in the midst of a 4-day class designed to teach more medical skills to soldiers when his unit was called up for a mission on or about May 9, 2006, a mission from which Specialist Gebur was excused to allow for completion of said class; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Gebur advised Dr. Marsh that his duty was to be with his unit and thus departed on the fateful mission on May 9, 2006; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Gebur was killed on May 13, 2006, leaving behind his wife, Bethany Gebur; his son, Gage Gebur; his parents, Larry and Debra Gebur; and his sister, Camille Gebur; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Gebur's life was marked with a spirit of selflessness and dedication and he was known for being big-hearted, kind, and a leader among the soldiers with whom he served; and

WHEREAS, The Honor and Remember organization's mission is to establish and promote a nationally-recognized flag that would adopt a universally-recognized symbol that acknowledges the American service men and women who sacrificed their lives in support of their country; and

WHEREAS, Frontier Communications supports the mission of the Honor and Remember organization and will honor the memory of Specialist Gebur by presenting the Honor and Remember flag to his son, Gage Gebur; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor the service and the sacrifice of Specialist Ron Gebur and we support the Honor and Remember organization's goal of a universally-recognized symbol honoring the sacrifice of those who perished serving our country; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Specialist Gebur's family as an expression of our respect and in further honor of Specialist Gebur's life.