SJ0003 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0003 LRB104 05724 LAW 15754 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, It is appropriate to remember the many sacrifices and contributions to the cause of freedom made by the outstanding men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces; and

WHEREAS, First Lieutenant James F. Claussen was born to Ernest and Stella Claussen on Christmas Day in 1921; at the time, the family lived on a small farm near Jacob; and

WHEREAS, 1LT Claussen voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Army in June of 1940 with the goal of becoming a paratrooper; he did not meet the Army's size requirements to become a paratrooper and redirected his efforts to becoming a pilot; and

WHEREAS, From June of 1943 until his death in March of 1945, 1LT Claussen flew seven combat missions over Sicily, France, Holland, and Germany; and

WHEREAS, On March 24, 1945, 1LT Claussen was killed in action while taking part in Operation Varsity; while his three-year commitment when enlisting had ended, he volunteered to fly the day he was killed in action; his C-46 Commando was last seen with its left engine on fire heading back across the Rhine River after successfully dropping all of its paratroopers; and

WHEREAS, 1LT Claussen was the recipient of the Air Medal, the American Defense Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal; he was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate the portion of Illinois Route 3 between mile marker 20 and mile marker 22, near Rockwood, as the "1LT James F. Claussen 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 "1LT James F. Claussen Memorial Highway"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the family of 1LT Claussen and the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation.