HR1119 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1119 LRB093 22714 HSS 52394 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the State of Illinois learned with regret of the death in Iraq of U.S. Army First Sergeant Ernest E. Utt of Hammond on Sunday, June 27, 2004; and

WHEREAS, First Sergeant Utt was assigned to Battery B, 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery, 1st Calvary Division at Fort Hood in Texas; and

WHEREAS, First Sergeant Utt was born in Chicago to Ernest Utt Sr. and Mary Utt; he graduated in 1983 from Atwood-Hammond High School in Illinois, where he played football and was on the track team; he married Denise on February 1, 1994; and

WHEREAS, First Sergeant Utt entered active duty in the U.S. Army in September of 1983 as a field Artillery Cannon Crew Member at Fort Sill, Oklahoma; since enlisting, his assignments include Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion 75th Field Artillery in Buamberg, Germany; Operation Group, Wolf Team, Fort Irwin, California; 4th Battalion, 29th Field Artillery, Buamholder, Germany; Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie Batteries, 2nd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Operations Group, Wolf Team, Fort Irwin, California; and his final assignment, Alpha and Bravo Batteries 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery, Fort Hood, Texas; and

WHEREAS, First Sergeant Utt is a graduate of the Primary Leadership Development Course, the Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course, and the Advanced Non-Commissioned Officers Course; he also completed Airborne School, Air Assault School, Jumpmaster School, Air Movement Operations, and the Observer Controller Academy; during his service, he held positions ranging from Section Chief (light and heavy), Gunnery Sergeant, Chief of Firing Battery, and Battery First Sergeant; in addition, he performed the duties of an Observer Controller and Assistant Operations Sergeant; and

WHEREAS, First Sergeant Utt's awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Superior Unit Citation, Driver's Badge (wheeled and tracked), Master Parachutist Badge, and the Air Assault Badge; and

WHEREAS, First Sergeant Utt was a 21-year U.S. Army veteran and could have left the service to retire instead of going to Iraq, but he had a strong sense of duty to the many soldiers under his command; and

WHEREAS, The passing of U.S. Army First Sergeant Ernest E. Utt has been deeply felt by many, especially his wife, Denise Utt; his father, Ernest Utt Sr.; his brother, Jordan Utt; and his five children; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of U.S. Army First Sergeant Ernest E. Utt, and we extend our deepest sympathy to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we honor the memory of First Sergeant Utt and his willingness to serve his country, which led to him making the ultimate sacrifice; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of First Sergeant Ernest E. Utt as an expression of our sincerest condolences.