HJ0070 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0070 LRB096 14255 GRL 29053 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives and the Illinois Senate are saddened by the death of United States Marine Corps Captain Matthew Charles Hays Freeman of Richmond Hill, Georgia, who gave his life for his country in Kapisa Province, Afghanistan on August 7, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Captain Matthew Freeman was born on January 19, 1980 in Lake Forest; after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2002, he was commissioned as an officer with the United States Marine Corps as a pilot; he was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Third Marine Expeditionary Force in Okinawa, Japan; he then volunteered for deployment to Afghanistan with ETT 4-5, 3rd Brigade 201st, RCAC-C Fwd, where he helped train the Afghan military on the ground while performing supporting combat operations; and

WHEREAS, During one such combat operation, Captain Matthew Freeman was on a rooftop directing close-air support when he was tragically killed; he was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for his valor and service to our nation; and

WHEREAS, Captain Matthew Freeman is survived by his father, Mark Hays, and his stepmother, Paula Hays; his mother, Lisa Freeman, and his stepfather, Gary Freeman; his wife, Theresa Hess Freeman, who currently serves as an Air Force flight surgeon in Okinawa, Japan; and his two sisters and one brother; and

WHEREAS, Captain Matthew Freeman's patriotism and courage will be remembered fondly by his loving family, his fellow soldiers, and the citizens of our grateful nation; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of United States Marine Corps Captain Matthew Charles Hays Freeman; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we honor the memory of Captain Matthew Freeman and his willingness to serve our 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 Captain Matthew Freeman as an expression of our sympathy.