HR1587 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1587 LRB095 22794 KXB 53227 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of United States Army Private First Class Ja'Mel Bryant, of Belleville, who was killed in action in Iraq, on September 27, 2008; and

WHEREAS, Ja'Mel A. Bryant died after a vehicle accident while he was on patrol in Wahida, Iraq; U.S. Army Private First Class Bryant was part of the 40th Engineer Battalion in the 1st Armored Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team in Baumholder, Germany; he left for Iraq in April and returned briefly to the United States in June before resuming his tour in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, Ja'Mel Bryant, who started a music career in Belleville, joined the Army in 2006 because he wanted to change his life for the better; he loved music and he loved children, and often passed candy out to children in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, He taught himself how to play the piano and recently produced a rap song with friends in Iraq about the troubles he had growing up in order to help other children; and

WHEREAS, He wanted to go to school for engineering or for music after the army; he was a former student at Belleville West High School and remembered as a good student and a good citizen; and

WHEREAS, Ja'Mel Bryant is survived by his mother, Cecilia Eiland; his father, Antonio Bryant Sr.; his brother, Antonio Bryant Jr.; his grandmother, Barbara Eiland; and his fiancee, Rochelle Jumper; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of United States Army Private First Class Ja'Mel Bryant; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we honor the memory of United States Army Private First Class Ja'Mel Bryant and his willingness to serve his country, which led to him making the ultimate sacrifice; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of United States Army Private First Class Ja'Mel Bryant as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.