HJ0034 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0034 LRB103 32236 MST 61442 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, It is highly fitting that the Illinois General Assembly pays honor and respect to the truly great individuals who have served our State and, in doing so, have made the ultimate sacrifice for our safety; and

WHEREAS, Lt. Bruce A. Williams was born to Melvin and Etherlyn Williams in St. Elmo on May 29, 1961, the youngest of three children; and

WHEREAS, Lt. Williams graduated from St Elmo High School in 1979 and was a dedicated athlete, participating in football, basketball, and track; he was in the National Honor Society and the Industrial Art Club; and

WHEREAS, Lt. Williams met his wife, Kathy, while stationed in Pensacola, Florida and was the father of four children, Keith, Wyatt, Kelsey, and Logan; and

WHEREAS, In addition to serving in the U.S. Navy in Pensacola and China Lake, Lt. Williams served in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm as assistant to the commander of Mideast forces; and

WHEREAS, Lt. Williams, Lt. Daniel F. Mondon, AET-3 Agustin Benitez-Rodriguez, AMS3 Michael S. Monaghan, and ADAN Dalyn Wyatt lost their lives when their SAR HH-1N Huey struck a wire and crashed in California's Sequoia National Forest on February 18, 1998; and

WHEREAS, At the time of his death, Lt. Williams was survived by his parents, his wife, four children, his sister, Kay Roach, and his brother, David Williams; and

WHEREAS, A memorial service for Lt. Williams and the four other service members killed was held in the All Faith Chapel at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate the section of U.S. Route 40 from its intersection with Illinois Route 128 south to its intersection with North 1800 Street (Avena Road) as the "Lt. Bruce A. Williams Memorial Highway"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois 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 of the "Lt. Bruce A. Williams Memorial Highway"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the family of Lt. Williams, the City of St. Elmo, and the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation.