SR0657 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0657 LRB093 23188 KEF 53160 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Lance Cpl. Jonathan W. Collins of Crystal Lake on August 8, 2004 in Al Anbar province of Iraq; and

WHEREAS, Jonathan Collins was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force out of Camp Pendleton, California; and

WHEREAS, He was born in Naperville to Jack and Angel (Betancourt) Collins and was the second of four children; his family moved often, to Connecticut, New Jersey, Michigan, and Virginia, before settling in Crystal Lake halfway through his freshman year; he was a 2003 graduate of Crystal Lake South High School and was a member of the soccer and swim teams; he also participated in theatre and Gator Pride; shortly after his graduation he enlisted in the Marines; and

WHEREAS, Lance Cpl. Collins was recently promoted from the rank of private first class; he loved being a Marine, especially when he built a school, strung wire to provide electricity for homes, and passed out candy to fellow Marines; and

WHEREAS, He was planning to use the money he had earned during military service to go to college and become a police officer; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Lance Cpl. Jonathan W. Collins will be deeply felt by many, especially his parents, Jack and Angel; his brother, Brandon; his two sisters, Lauren and Devon; his maternal grandfather, Elias Betancourt; his paternal grandparents, John and Alice Collins; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Sandra Maria (Cooley) Betancourt; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that together with his family, friends, educators, community, and fellow members of the United States armed forces, we mourn the death of Lance Cpl. Jonathan W. Collins, who will be remembered for his selflessness, bravery, patriotism, sense of humor, confidence, generosity, kindness, and strong character and we offer our deepest sympathy to all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Lance Cpl. Jonathan W. Collins as a token of our deepest sympathy.