SR0198 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0198 LRB096 12335 GRL 25179 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Russell Dunham of Jerseyville, who passed away on April 6, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Russell Dunham was born on February 23, 1920 in East Carondelet; he was the son of Ola and Dolly (Atwood) Dunham; he married the former Wilda W. Long-Bazzell on Sept. 29, 1959 in Alton; and

WHEREAS, Russell Dunham served in the United States Army with Company I, 30th Infantry, 3rd Division under General George Patton; and

WHEREAS, Russell Dunham was a recipient of the Medal of Honor, America's top military award for heroism; he earned the Medal of Honor for his actions on January 8, 1945, near Kayserberg, France, when he single-handedly knocked out three enemy machine guns with his platoon behind him; despite being shot, he spearheaded a successful diversionary attack using only his carbine and hand grenades; his courageous actions saved the lives of more than 150 American soldiers; and

WHEREAS, Russell Dunham retired from the Veterans Administration in 1975 after 35 years of service; and

WHEREAS, Russell Dunham was a member of the Alton VFW Post 1308 and AMVETS; he was also a former member of the American Legion; and

WHEREAS, Russell Dunham was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; his granddaughters, Katie Bazzell and Ryalynn Bell; his brothers, Marvin, Pete, Irvin, Leonard, and Ralph; and his sisters, Freida and Gladys; and

WHEREAS, Russell Dunham is survived by his daughter, Mary Lee Neal and her husband, Kerry; his step-daughter, Annette Wilson and her husband, Glenn; his step-son, David Bazzell; his grandchildren, Michelle (Greg) Crull, Julia (Doug) Edgar, and Kimberly (Adam) Miller; his great-grandchildren; his brothers, Jim Dunham, Floyd Dunham, and Junior; and his sisters, Josephine, Florence, and Charlotte; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Russell Dunham; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Russell Dunham as an expression of our sympathy.