HR0977 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0977 LRB097 21150 GRL 68618 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Lieutenant/EMT Robert Beuse and Firefighter/Paramedic Tommy Thomson of the Franklin Park Fire Department on the occasion of being awarded the Medal of Valor Award by the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal; and

WHEREAS, The Medal of Valor award is given by the Illinois State Fire Marshal to a firefighter for an act of heroism or bravery that clearly demonstrated courage and dedication in the face of danger while in the performance of duty; and

WHEREAS, Robert Beuse followed in his father's footsteps and became a firefighter on February 14, 1983, at the age of 22; he has 3 children, Robert Beuse III, Melissa Beuse, and Brandon Beuse, and one granddaughter, Katlyn; and

WHEREAS, Tommy Thomson is a lifelong resident of Franklin Park; he graduated from East Leyden High School in 1985; from August of 1986 to May of 1995, he served as a combat medic with the United States Army and was honorably discharged at the rank of sergeant; he has served in the fire service for a total of 16 years and has been a member of the Franklin Park Fire Department for 12 years; he has also been a certified paramedic for 8 years; his father was a member of the Franklin Park Fire Department for 39 years; he and his wife, Anita, have 3 children; and

WHEREAS, On April 27, 2011, Robert Beuse and Tommy Thomson were driving northbound on Rose Street in Franklin Park, when they noticed what appeared to be smoke coming from behind a 12-unit multifamily building at 3826 N. Rose Street; even though the building was outside of the Franklin Park city limits, they continued in to investigate; upon arrival, they found heavy smoke and fire coming from a garden apartment window; after reporting the fire and donning their gear, they began alerting and evacuating the residents of the building; while the evacuation was in progress, a tenant stated that they heard someone yelling for help; Lt. Beuse and FFPM Thomson forced entry into the apartment and rescued a resident who was wrapped in a blanket and lying on the living room floor; after carrying the victim from the garden apartment to the outside, the victim was then transported to the local hospital, where he was later released; all the residents were also accounted for once the fire was extinguished; and

WHEREAS, Robert Beuse and Tommy Thomson will receive their Medals of Valor during the 19th Annual Illinois Fallen Firefighter Memorial and Firefighter Medal of Honor Awards Ceremony on May 10, 2012 in Springfield; and

WHEREAS, Robert Beuse and Tommy Thomson serve as models of hard work, integrity, and dedication for the people of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Lieutenant/EMT Robert Beuse and Firefighter/Paramedic Tommy Thomson on the occasion of being awarded the Medal of Valor and wish them continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Robert Beuse and Tommy Thomson as a symbol of our esteem and respect.