HR0967 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0967 LRB093 22278 KEF 51302 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, On Friday, April 23, 2004, at approximately 10:45 p.m., an explosion occurred at the Formosa Plastics Manufacturing Plant in Illiopolis; and

WHEREAS, 28 fire departments and rescue squads, 4 ambulance services, and other rescue personnel quickly responded to the tragedy; hundreds of local and state emergency workers, volunteers, and fire and medical professionals converged on the plant to combat the fire, rescue employees, and set up air monitoring equipment; and

WHEREAS, The rescue personnel and city officials, including Illiopolis Mayor Allan Brickey, Public Works Supervisor Denny Stacey, Illiopolis Police Chief Bryon Honea, Illiopolis Fire Department Chief Brad Stewart, and ESDA coordinator Rayeana Stacey efficiently evacuated the population of the village and ensured the safety of Illiopolis residents; additionally, they effectively contained the blaze and rescued trapped and injured workers on the plant grounds; and

WHEREAS, The fire, rescue, and law enforcement departments involved included: Illiopolis, Buffalo, Chestnut, Cornland, Dawson, Divernon, Elkhart, Harristown, Hickory Point, Kenney, Latham, Lincoln Rural, Loami, Macon, Maroa, Mechanicsburg, Mt. Auburn, Mt. Pulaski, Mt. Zion, Niantic, Pawnee, Riverton, Rochester, Sherman, South Wheatland, Springfield, Warrensburg, Williamsville, Illiopolis ESDA, Sangamon County ESDA, Sangamon County Rescue, Decatur Ambulance, America Ambulance, Lifestar Ambulance, Springfield Area Ambulance, Air-Evac Helicopter, Arch, Sangamon County Sheriff Department, Illinois State Police, and the Buffalo Police Department; and

WHEREAS, In addition, many other first responders and law enforcement personnel helped organizing, controlling, and containing the situation; the volunteers and state and local professionals fought the fire, looked for survivors, and monitored air and water quality tirelessly through the weekend; and

WHEREAS, We mourn the loss of Joseph Machalek, Larry Graves, Linda Hancock, Glenn Lyman, and Randy Hancock, the five Formosa workers who perished in the explosion and ensuing fire, but know that many other lives were saved because of the work of the rescue teams; and

WHEREAS, Because of their hard work and tireless dedication to public safety, these men and women deserve our utmost respect and dedication; their commitment to serving and saving others is a perfect example of the caring and hardworking nature of the citizens of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor the rescue workers from across central Illinois for their courageous efforts at the Formosa Plastics Manufacturing Plant explosion and commend the heartfelt dedication of all who were involved with this tragedy; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Illiopolis Mayor Allan Brickey.