HR0017 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0017 LRB101 05056 MST 50541 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate and commend Grace Lattz who, at the age of 15, successfully developed and lobbied for a bill eliminating a requirement that firefighters injured in the line of duty relive the details of their trauma during annual examinations for post-traumatic stress disorder; and

WHEREAS, On November 16, 2013, Champaign firefighters were called to the newly-opened Layalina Mediterranean Grill at 2:45 a.m. to extinguish a large fire; and

WHEREAS, Two firefighters searching the second-floor apartment for occupants were unaware that fire had broken out below them; Grace Lattz's father, Lieutenant Jeff Lattz, saw that the conditions were developing for a sudden and rapid expansion of the fire and ran to the base of the stairs to warn the firefighters on the second floor; and

WHEREAS, The fire suddenly enveloped the entire staircase, sending furniture and debris flying through the air, and Lt. Lattz was pelted by flaming debris; and

WHEREAS, First responders acted quickly to remove Lt. Lattz from the building, strip off his gear, administer an IV and breathing tube, and rush him to the burn unit at a local hospital; and

WHEREAS, Lt. Lattz's long recovery involved not only extensive physical healing but mental healing as well; and

WHEREAS, Watching her father struggle through post-traumatic stress disorder gave Grace Lattz an idea, which originally took the form of a homework assignment but morphed into a campaign for state legislation; and

WHEREAS, With the help of her mother, House doormen, State Representative Tom Bennett, and other lawmakers, Grace Lattz created business cards, learned government processes, lobbied legislators in their offices and off the floor, testified before committees, and visited Springfield multiple times to lobby and track the progress of legislation; and

WHEREAS, In late May of 2018, SB 3119, which was amended in the House of Representatives with Grace Lattz's legislation, cleared the House by a vote of 106 to 4 and passed the Senate unanimously; the legislation was signed by Governor Rauner in August 2018 and is P.A. 100-1097; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Grace Lattz on her drive and conviction and are proud of her efforts to make a difference for her family and community; she is a role model for all of us; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Grace Lattz as a symbol of our respect and esteem.