HR0908 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0908 LRB096 20110 GRL 36251 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of United States Air Force Senior Airman Bradley Smith of Troy, who passed away on January 3, 2010, in Kandahar, Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS, Senior Airman Bradley Smith was born on September 11, 1985, in Little Rock, Arkansas; his parents are Gary and Paula, nee Forrest, Smith; he married Tiffany Finley on February 19, 2008, in Monterey, California; and

WHEREAS, Senior Airman Bradley Smith graduated from Triad High School in 2004; during high school, he was a member of the football team; and

WHEREAS, On December 19, 2006, Senior Airman Bradley Smith joined the United States Air Force; after basic training, where he was an honor graduate, he was assigned to the 10th Air Support Operations Squadron as a joint terminal attack controller in Fort Riley, Kansas and was highly trained in air assault, pathfinder, and airborne qualifications; he was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart for his service in Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS, Senior Airman Bradley Smith was previously a member at Bethel Baptist Church, where he was active with the church's youth ministry; and

WHEREAS, Senior Airman Bradley Smith was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, retired Master Sergeant Jesie Forrest, and his paternal grandfather, Elmer Smith; and

WHEREAS, Senior Airman Bradley Smith is survived by his wife, Tiffany; his parents, Gary and Paula; his daughter, Chloe Lynn Smith; his brother and fiancee, Staff Sergeant Gary Ryan Smith and Shawna Dorman; his paternal grandparents, retired Sergeant Major Don and Barbara McBeth and Rebecca Smith; his maternal grandmother, Fannie Mae Forrest; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Stanley and Valerie Tucker; his sisters-in-law, Hannah and Jennifer Tucker; and his many other extended family members and dear friends; and

WHEREAS, Senior Airman Bradley Smith'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, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Senior Airman Bradley Smith; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Senior Airman Bradley Smith as an expression of our sympathy.