HR0467 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0467 LRB097 12387 KXB 56853 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate United States Navy Captain John Malfitano as he is relieved of his duties as Commanding Officer of the Naval Station Great Lakes; and

WHEREAS, Captain Malfitano is a native of Pearl River, New York; he graduated from Stony Brook University with a Bachelor of Engineering in Engineering Science and was commissioned through the Aviation Officer Candidate School program in 1986; he was designated a Naval Aviator in 1988 and reported to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 120 for initial training in the E-2C Hawkeye; and

WHEREAS, He served in VAW-123 "Screwtops" embarked in USS America, completing 3 deployments with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1, including combat operations during Operation Desert Storm; he also served as an instructor and training landing signal officer, an Assistant Officer in Charge, served in combat operations during Operation Desert Fox, and commanded the Seahawks; during his time as Commanding Officer, the VAW-126 was selected as recipient of the Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic Battle Efficiency Award and the Commander, Naval Air Forces RADM Frank Akers Award for AEW Excellence as the finest E-2C Hawkeye squadron in the Navy; he was subsequently selected by his peers for the Navy-Marine Corps Leadership Award; and

WHEREAS, Ashore, he has served as Flag Aide-de-camp for the Commander Naval Training Center, Great Lakes; he earned a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies with Highest Distinction from the Naval War College, receiving the President's Honor Graduate Award; he was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations as an action officer for the VCNO-charted information technology group, Task Force Web; he attended the Joint and Combined Warfighting School at the Joint Forces Staff College; and he most recently served as a Joint Staff Officer for NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Transformation in the Strategic Engagement and Vision Branch; and

WHEREAS, Captain Malfitano has accumulated over 4,400 flight hours and more than 500 arrested landings on 10 different aircraft carriers; he has earned the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, 2 Meritorious Service Medals, 3 Strike/Flight Air Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, 8 Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals (3 with combat "V"), and the Navy Achievement Medal; and

WHEREAS, Captain Malfitano and his wife, Victoria (Vicki) are the proud parents of Joseph Elias and William Jacob; and

WHEREAS, The formal Change of Command Ceremony will be held on July 15, 2011 at the Naval Station Great Lakes; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Captain John Malfitano and wish him continued success for years to come; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Captain John Malfitano as a symbol of our respect and esteem.