HJ0005 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0005 LRB097 06575 HEP 46660 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Illinois Route 75 is an east-west road in north-central Illinois stretching over 40 miles through Stephenson and Winnebago Counties; Highway 75 runs from Freeport to the Wisconsin state line southeast of Beloit, Wisconsin; and

WHEREAS, An effort to dedicate Highway 75 in its entirety as the Purple Heart Trail in honor of wounded and deceased veterans has been undertaken by The American Legion Gold Post 676 in Durand; and

WHEREAS, The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of the Armed Forces or any civilian national of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services after April 5, 1917 has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may hereafter die after being wounded; and

WHEREAS, In honor of the ultimate sacrifice paid by so many of our troops throughout history, it is fitting to dedicate Highway 75 as the Purple Heart Trail as a humble gesture of thanks for the freedoms we enjoy on a daily basis; and

WHEREAS, In accordance with the words spoken over the fallen at Gettysburg by a former representative from Illinois, let us "never forget" our fallen heroes; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate Highway 75 as the Purple Heart Trail; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Transportation is requested to erect at suitable locations, consistent with State regulations, plaques or signs giving notice of the name; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the Illinois Secretary of Transportation and The American Legion Gold Star Post 676.