HR0889 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0889 LRB093 21972 KEF 50297 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives were saddened to learn that Army Rangers specialist Pat Tillman died on a mission in southeastern Afghanistan on April 22, 2004; and

WHEREAS, Pat Tillman was nationally known as a consummate student-athlete playing football as a linebacker for Arizona State University and graduating summa cum laude in 1997 with a degree in marketing; and

WHEREAS, Pat Tillman went on to play in the National Football League as a linebacker with the Arizona Cardinals and later played safety, setting a Cardinal franchise record for tackles with 223; and

WHEREAS, The September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States motivated Tillman to leave a promising career in professional football to serve his nation in Operation Enduring Freedom; and

WHEREAS, Twenty-seven year-old Tillman served as an Army Rangers specialist in the 75th Ranger Regiment, a light infantry unit out of Fort Benning, Georgia in which Tillman's brother is also a member; and

WHEREAS, Pat Tillman was killed during an ambush on a coalition combat patrol near the village of Sperah in Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Pat Tillman will be deeply felt by many, and he will be remembered for his willingness to serve our country, which led him to make the ultimate sacrifice and be a role model and inspiration to others; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS,that we mourn the passing of Army Ranger Pat Tillman along with all who knew and loved him and extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the members of the House of Representatives urge the National Football League commissioner Paul Tagliabue to consider any options for the induction of Pat Tillman into the NFL Hall of Fame with full rights and privileges for his devotion and service to our country and for being an inspiration and role model to all; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Pat Tillman and to NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue as an expression of our deepest gratitude for this young man's sacrifice for our country.