SR0744 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0744 LRB093 24084 RSP 54244 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, It is with profound sadness that the members of the Senate of the State of Illinois have learned of the death of United States Marine Lance Corporal Aaron C. Pickering of Harrisburg who died while proudly serving his country in combat in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, Aaron Pickering was born on October 28, 1984, in Harrisburg to Carl Pickering and Lisa Killman Short; and

WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Pickering was attached to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, C Company, based in Okinawa, Japan, proudly serving the nation as an infantryman; and

WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Pickering was a graduate of Harrisburg High School, having attended Marion High School until his junior year; he joined the Marines after graduation; and

WHEREAS, In high school, Aaron excelled in golf, finishing 52nd in the state meet his senior year, and was an avid hunter and fisherman, winning first place in the 58th Illinois State Championship Junior Goose Calling contest; and

WHEREAS, On November 10, 2004, Lance Corporal Pickering was killed during combat operations to capture the Iraqi city of Fallujah from Islamic insurgents and will be remembered by many as a hero; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Lance Corporal Pickering has been deeply felt by many, especially his mother and stepfather, Lisa and Sam Short; father and stepmother, Carl and Theresa Pickering; maternal grandmother, Chlola Killman, paternal grandparents, Bill and Peg Pickering, paternal grandmother, Bonnie Barton; stepbrothers, Travis Short, Dustin Short, Dylan Short; stepsister Christine Harmon; aunts and uncles; and many 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. Marine Lance Corporal Aaron Pickering for his commitment, dedication, and sacrifice in the service of his family, community, and country; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the parents of Lance Corporal Aaron Pickering, as an expression of our deepest sympathy for their loss.