HR0684 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0684 LRB096 15087 GRL 30106 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of U.S. Army Sergeant 1st Class Christopher D. Shaw of Natchez, Mississippi, who died in action on September 29, 2009, on Jolo Island, Philippines; and

WHEREAS, SFC Christopher Shaw enlisted in the United States Army Reserve on November 22, 1994, while attending Texas Southern University in Houston on a track and field scholarship; in May of 1995, he decided to put his education on hold and joined the active-duty Army as a forward observer; and

WHEREAS, After completion of basic training, advanced individual training, and the U.S. Army Airborne School, SFC Christopher Shaw was assigned as a fire support specialist to the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Lewis, Washington; in 1997, he volunteered for the Special Forces Assessment and Selection course and completed the Special Forces Qualification Course in March of 1999; he later served as an instructor at the Special Forces Qualification Course at Camp Mackall, North Carolina and subsequently returned to the 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Lewis; and

WHEREAS, SFC Christopher Shaw was currently assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Lewis, Washington; he was on his second deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines at the time of his passing; and

WHEREAS, SFC Christopher Shaw was the recipient of numerous awards and decorations for his meritorious service, including Meritorious Service Medals, the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medals, Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medals, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Meritorious Unit Citation, and the Philippine Presidential Unit citation; he earned the Special Forces tab, the Ranger tab, and the Parachutist Badge; he was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge; and

WHEREAS, SFC Christopher Shaw earned his bachelor's degree in history from Thomas Edison State College in Trenton, New Jersey; and

WHEREAS, SFC Christopher Shaw is survived by his wife, Attina; his children, Darian Shaw, Erielle Smith, Jalyn Smith, Dante Shaw, and Cydney Shaw; his mother and stepfather, Camille and Willie Felton; his father, Walter Owens; his brothers, Orlando Shaw and Maurey Owens; and his sisters, Kenya Shaw and Gwen Owens; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Sergeant 1st Class Christopher D. Shaw; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we honor the memory of SFC Christopher Shaw and his willingness to serve our country, which led to him making the ultimate sacrifice; and be it further

RESOLVED, a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of SFC Christopher Shaw as an expression of our sympathy.