HR0653 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0653 LRB094 14627 BDD 49629 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The men and women from Illinois who ably serve our country as members of the United States Armed Forces are entitled to our appreciation, respect, and support; and

WHEREAS, Petty Officer Alonzo Darrell Baker, of the U.S. Navy, has served his country with distinction and has recently suffered losses from destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina; and

WHEREAS, Petty Officer Baker grew up in Calumet Park, Illinois, and he graduated from Harold L. Richards High School in May of 1997; after graduating from high school, he joined the U.S. Navy; and

WHEREAS, Petty Officer Baker has served his country with distinction; shortly after enlisting, he reported onboard the USS Curtis Wilbur, homeported in Yokosuka, Japan; Petty Officer Baker continued his active duty tour and received his Certificate of Graduation from the Navy and Marine Corps Intelligence Institution; in 2000, he reported onboard the USS Kitty Hawk, America's only deployed aircraft carrier, also homeported in Yokosuka, Japan; Petty Officer Baker continued his intelligence career and finished in the top of his class at the Naval Special Warfare Intelligence Institution; he has received numerous letters and commendations during his 8-year active duty tour, including 3 Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medals; and

WHEREAS, Petty Officer Baker is currently stationed in Mississippi, and in June of 2005, he served temporary duty in Bagdad, Iraq, assisting in the current military operations in that region; and

WHEREAS, While Petty Officer Baker was serving his country in Iraq, Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast of the United States, including Petty Officer Baker's home in Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Upon returning from Iraq to aid in post-disaster relief, Petty Officer Baker found that all of his personal belongings had been destroyed by the hurricane; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we express our appreciation, respect, and support to Petty Officer Alonzo Darrell Baker and to all of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who are dedicated to the service of their country; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge the citizens of Illinois to take action to help restore the quality of life for Petty Officer Baker and others whose lives have been devastated by the recent hurricanes in the Gulf Coast; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Petty Officer Alonzo Darrell Baker as an expression of our esteem.