HJ0066 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0066 LRB103 40102 MST 71678 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, It is highly fitting that the Illinois General Assembly pays honor and respect to those who have served our country and, in doing so, have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation; and

WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Sean P. Maher was born in Elk Grove Village to Janet R. and Dan C. Maher on March 19, 1985; as a child, he was a member of Cub Scouts Pack 72 Wildwood, Boy Scout Troop 71 Gurnee, and St. Paul The Apostle Catholic Church in Gurnee, where he served as an altar boy; he enjoyed sports of all types and caddied for Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen; he was named Athlete of the Year in 8th grade at Woodland Elementary School, where he has a scholarship in his name; he graduated Warren Township High School in 2003, and his football jersey has since been retired in his honor; and

WHEREAS, LCpl Maher enlisted in the United States Marines in August of 2003, one week after his 18th birthday, despite having a football scholarship and a full ride to Southern Illinois University; he completed basic training in San Diego, California and was assigned to Weapons Company 1st Battalion 3rd Marines 31st MEU 1st Marine Division Kaneohe Bay Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, LCpl Maher was killed in action on February 2, 2005 in the town of Hit, Iraq as he came under small arms fire while responding to a helicopter crash; he had taken another marine's watch that morning to let his fellow soldier sleep in on his birthday; and

WHEREAS, LCpl Maher was awarded numerous citations for his service, including the Marine Rifle Sharpshooter Badge, the National Defense Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; posthumously, he received the AIA Hawaii Medal of Honor, the Purple Heart, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal; and

WHEREAS, LCpl Maher was named an honorary member of Lake Villa VFW Post 4308; 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 U.S. Route 45 from Belvidere Road (Illinois 120) in Grayslake north to Washington Street as the "U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal Sean P. Maher 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 "U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal Sean P. Maher Memorial Highway"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the family of LCpl Maher, Lake Villa VFW Post 4308, and the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation.