093_SR0043

 
                                     LRB093 10957 HSS 11535 r

 1                          SENATE RESOLUTION

 2        WHEREAS, The members of the Senate  of  the  Ninety-Third
 3    Illinois General Assembly are saddened to learn of the tragic
 4    deaths of 21 young adults and the injury of 50 more people as
 5    a  result  of  a  stampede  in  a  crowded nightclub on South
 6    Michigan Avenue in Chicago in the early morning  of  February
 7    17, 2003; and

 8        WHEREAS,  Survivors and other witnesses described victims
 9    being trampled as hundreds of patrons trapped on  the  club's
10    second  floor  struggled  to  get out after being panicked by
11    pepper spray; and

12        WHEREAS, With 21 people confirmed dead at eight hospitals
13    and the Cook County medical examiner's  office,  it  was  the
14    largest  loss  of  life in a single incident in Chicago since
15    the 1979 crash of Flight 191, which killed 273 people; and

16        WHEREAS, Those who died in the panic ranged in  age  from
17    19  to  43  years of age and their passing will forever alter
18    the lives of their families, friends, and loved ones; and

19        WHEREAS, The 21 who died are: Nita Anthony; Robert Brown;
20    Demetrica  Carwell;  Bianca  Ferguson;  Kevin  Gayden;  Debra
21    Gill; Danielle Greene; Chanta Jackson; Teresa Johnson-Gordon;
22    David  Jones;  Charles  Lard;  LaTorya McGraw; Antonio Myers;
23    Nicole Patterson; Nicole Rainey; DaShand Ray;  Damien  Riley;
24    Charita  Rhodes;  Maurice Robinson; Eazay Rogers; and Michael
25    Wilson; and

26        WHEREAS, The Chicago  Police  and  other  city  officials
27    continue  to  investigate  the  incident  to  determine  what
28    happened  and  what  steps  can  be taken to make sure such a
29    devastating tragedy never occurs again in Chicago; therefore,
30    be it
 
                            -2-      LRB093 10957 HSS 11535 r
 1        RESOLVED, BY  THE  SENATE  OF  THE  NINETY-THIRD  GENERAL
 2    ASSEMBLY  OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the loss of
 3    life resulting  from  this  tragic  event  and  urge  Chicago
 4    officials  to  complete  a  thorough and timely investigation
 5    into this incident and to take appropriate action to  prevent
 6    further similar tragedies; and be it further

 7        RESOLVED,  That  suitable  copies  of  this  preamble and
 8    resolution be presented to the families of those who died  on
 9    February  17,  2003  as an expression of our sorrow for their
10    loss.