SR0598 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0598 LRB093 22099 KEF 50690 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois were saddened to learn of the tragic death of Army Captain John Tipton of Granite City in an explosion during combat in the Al Anbar Province in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, Captain Tipton grew up in Granite City and attended Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, where he met his wife, Susie; he graduated from SIUE and ROTC in 1995 as a distinguished military graduate with a degree in business; while in the Army, he earned commendations including a Purple Heart, and the Army Commendation Medal; and

WHEREAS, Captain Tipton was stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas with his family; he was commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division out of Fort Riley; and

WHEREAS, He commanded 352 troops deployed to Iraq; the mechanized division is made up of Bradley armored fighting vehicles and is deployed to the front lines, where the division generally transports infantry to the battlefield, provides fire cover to ground troops, and suppresses enemy tanks and fighting vehicles; he was a veteran of Desert Storm and always worked to make his troops as comfortable as possible in the desert; and

WHEREAS, Captain Tipton will be remembered as a loving husband, great father, and loyal friend; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Captain John Tipton will be deeply felt by many, especially his wife, Susie; his children, Austin and Kaitlyn; and his sister-in-law, Laura DeLuca; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the death of Army Captain John Tipton along with all who knew and loved him and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we honor the memory of Army Captain John Tipton and his willingness to serve our great nation which led to him making the ultimate sacrifice; and

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Army Captain John Tipton as a token of our deepest sympathy.