HJ0042 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0042 LRB099 03536 MST 27344 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, It is highly fitting that the Illinois General Assembly pays honor and respect to the truly great individuals who have served our country and, in doing so, have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation; and

WHEREAS, Army Specialist Joseph Whiting Dimock, II was born on May 25, 1989 in Libertyville to Joseph W. and Ellen L. Dimock; he was a member of the Wildwood Presbyterian Church, where he faithfully attended Sunday School, worshipped, and was devoted to the annual summer high school mission trips; he loved the outdoors and was an active member of Cub Scout Pack, the Venture Crew, and Boy Scout Troop 672, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout; for his Eagle Scout project he collected nearly 200 worn, American flags so they could be honorably retired in a special ceremony; and

WHEREAS, SPC Joseph W. Dimock, II graduated from Warren Township High School, where he was a member of the Warren Blue Devils swim team and swim club; in 2006, he and his teammates set the junior varsity swim record in the 400-yard freestyle relay, and the record still stands today; he had a special knack with children and taught swimming for many years through the Wildwood Park District; and

WHEREAS, SPC Joseph W. Dimock, II enlisted in the United States Army during the spring of his senior year and began his service that following August; for nearly 3 years he served with the 1st Battalion, 75 Ranger Regiment; he was in his third overseas deployment, his second in Afghanistan, supporting Operation Enduring Freedom; and

WHEREAS, During his service, SPC Joseph W. Dimock, II received the Ranger Tab, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Parachutist Badge; he was also awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon; he was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Army Commendation Medal; and

WHEREAS, SPC Joseph W. Dimock, II is survived by his parents, Joseph and Ellen; his brothers, Louis and Michael; his paternal grandmother, Elna Jensen Dimock; his maternal grandfather, Alan R. McCausland; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and fellow soldiers; and

WHEREAS, SPC Joseph W. Dimock, II was a son, a brother, an Eagle Scout, and a United States Army Ranger; this fallen soldier deserves to be remembered by the State of Illinois for his service to this country; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate the section of road on Route 120/Belvidere Road between John Mogg and Sears Boulevard in Grayslake as "Army SPC Joseph "Joey" W. Dimock II Memorial Highway"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Transportation is requested to erect at suitable locations, consistent with State and federal regulations, appropriate plaques or signs giving notice of the name "Army SPC Joseph "Joey" W. Dimock II Memorial Highway"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation, and the family of SPC Joseph W. Dimock, II.