SR0630 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0630 LRB093 22776 HSS 52570 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, It is with profound sadness that the members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned of the death of U.S. Army Sergeant Christopher Allen Wagener of Fairview Heights, Illinois, who died while proudly serving his country in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, Christopher Wagener was born on July 22, 1979, in Peoria, Illinois to Kenneth and Dani Wagener; and

WHEREAS, Christopher Wagener entered the U.S. Army just 2 weeks after his 1998 graduation from Belleville East High School; and

WHEREAS, Christopher Wagener obtained the rank of Sergeant and was a member of the 10th Mountain Division, Company C, 10th Aviation Brigade, where he served as a helicopter repair technician and had goals of becoming a pilot; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Wagener served tours of duty around the world, including Germany, Bosnia, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, and Iraq; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Wagener was a dedicated soldier who, after 6 years in the Army, had the opportunity to leave the service, but chose to re-enlist in February of 2004, even while he was serving in hostile conditions; and

WHEREAS, On July 1, 2004, Sergeant Christopher Allen Wagener was killed in the line of duty when his vehicle struck a land mine while en route to Mosul, Iraq; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Sergeant Wagener has been deeply felt by many, especially his parents, Kenneth and Dani Wagener; his sister, Michelle (Aaron) Friederich; his paternal grandmother, Gloria Wagener; his maternal grandmother, Marian DelVecchio; his niece, Taylor Friederich; and his many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor U.S. Army Sergeant Christopher Allen Wagener for his commitment, dedication, and sacrifice in the service of his family, community, and country; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we mourn the death of Sergeant Wagener, and we extend our deepest sympathy to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we pray for the safety and well-being of Sergeant Wagener's fellow service members as they continue to stand in harm's way in service to their country; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Sergeant Christopher Allen Wagener as an expression of our sincerest condolences.