HR1304 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1304 LRB095 21427 GRL 50827 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to honor Illinois Army National Guard Lt. Colonel Theodore F. Tracy of Springfield as he returns from his tour of duty in Iraq in April of 2008; and

WHEREAS, Theodore F. Tracy joined the Illinois Army National Guard in 1987 and passed the necessary requirements to reach the rank of Lieutenant Colonel with a specialty of Quartermaster/Logistics; he began his military career with the Illinois National Guard and was initially assigned to Beardstown; and

WHEREAS, After serving for twenty years in various positions within the Illinois Army National Guard, Lt. Colonel Theodore F. Tracy was mobilized and deployed to Iraq with the State's fifth rotation to support the Polish Multinational Division; the Polish Division was located in the central portion of Iraq, known as Diwaniyah, and the province next to the Iranian border, known as Al Kut; and

WHEREAS, While serving with the Polish Multinational Division, Lt. Colonel Theodore F. Tracy was stationed in Al Kut, Iraq and functioned as "Mayor" of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Delta; as Mayor of FOB Delta, he helped with the transition of the base from Polish to Georgian Forces and with increasing the coalition's footprint by ten fold; once the transition was complete, he transferred to Camp Echo in Diwaniyah and served as the Iraqi Security Forces Chief, where he dealt with the Iraqi Army and Police forces; and

WHEREAS, As the Iraqi Security Forces Chief, Lt. Colonel Theodore F. Tracy assisted in doubling the size of the Iraqi police force for the Diwaniyah Province and fostered professionalism within the organization by increasing police training and their efforts in acquiring necessary equipment to fight the local militia; during operations against extremists, he served as a liaison between the Iraqi police and the Polish Division, which helped in bringing peace and stability to the Diwaniyah Province; and

WHEREAS, Lt. Colonel Theodore F. Tracy was the recipient of many awards and decorations for his meritorious service, including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal - 4th Cluster, the Army Achievement Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal "M" Device; and

WHEREAS, Lt. Colonel Theodore F. Tracy comes from a family of distinguished military service, including his father, Lt. Colonel William L. Tracy, and his late uncle, Marine Lance Corporal Robert F. Tracy, who both served their country during World War II; his late uncle, Lieutenant Jack Tracy, also served in the United States Air Force and gave his life for his country; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor Illinois Army National Guard Lt. Colonel Theodore F. Tracy of Springfield as he returns from his tour of duty in Iraq and give him our best regards for the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Lt. Colonel Theodore F. Tracy as a symbol of our esteem and respect.