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1
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, It is highly fitting that the Illinois General
3 Assembly pays honor and respect to the truly great individuals
4 who served our country and in doing so have gone above and
5 beyond the call of duty to take part in truly heroic tasks; and
 
6     WHEREAS, Of the millions of men and women who have served
7 this country, whether in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or
8 Coast Guard, only 3,447 have ever been awarded the highest
9 military decoration awarded by the United States government,
10 the Congressional Medal of Honor; and
 
11     WHEREAS, The Congressional Medal of Honor is awarded for
12 conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of one's life
13 above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action
14 against any enemy of the United States; while engaged in
15 military operations involving conflict with an opposing
16 foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces
17 engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in
18 which the United States is not a belligerent party; and
 
19     WHEREAS, It is beyond honor for an individual to be awarded
20 the Congressional Medal of Honor, distinguishing this
21 individual as a true American hero; and
 

 

 

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1     WHEREAS, Sammy L. Davis, born in Dayton, Ohio, on November
2 1st, 1946, and who resided in Illinois for many years, was
3 awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his service and
4 conduct in Vietnam during the Vietnam War; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Sammy L. Davis was a private first class in the
6 United States Army, Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 4th Artillery,
7 94th Infantry Division, at the time of his action which awarded
8 him the Congressional Medal of Honor, leading to his promotion
9 to Sergeant; and
 
10     WHEREAS, Sammy L. Davis was awarded the Congressional Medal
11 for his actions on November 18th, 1967, when his unit came
12 under enemy fire; injured, Private Davis risked his life to
13 fight off the enemy, and under heavy fire managed to fire
14 rounds from a burning howitzer on his own, and having pushed
15 back the enemy, Private Davis rescued his injured combats who
16 were no doubt alive because of his bravery; and
 
17     WHEREAS, Today, Sammy L. Davis, forced to retire from the
18 United States Army in 1984 because of injuries, works to make
19 sure the American message of freedom is never forgotten;
20 visiting school children, speaking at special events, and
21 telling his message to the countless troops that he continues
22 to visit; and
 

 

 

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1     WHEREAS, Troops stationed all over the world from wars that
2 have passed and conflicts that are current, have written and
3 spoken of the meaningfulness and inspiration that they have and
4 continue to receive from meeting and speaking with Sammy L.
5 Davis; therefore, be it
 
6     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
7 NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE
8 SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that an appropriate plaque or sign be
9 placed at the Illinois rest area on Route 33 near Palestine,
10 honoring Sammy L. Davis, his triumphs and heroism, and his
11 dedication to the patriotic good of this country; and be it
12 further
 
13     RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Transportation
14 is directed to erect, at a suitable location at the rest area,
15 consistent with State and federal regulations, an appropriate
16 plaque or sign giving recognition to Sammy L Davis; and be it
17 further
 
18     RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
19 delivered to the Secretary of the Illinois Department of
20 Transportation, the Robinson V.F.W., and to Sammy L. Davis.