HR1283 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1283 LRB097 23338 GRL 72181 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Little Pony Eagle of Godfrey, who passed away on October 31, 2012; and

WHEREAS, Little Pony Eagle was born on January 19, 1923, in St. Joseph, Missouri; he was the son of Red Eagle and Goldie Eagle; and

WHEREAS, Little Pony Eagle received his promotion certificate from Roosevelt Junior High School at the age of 16 and was believed to be the first true American Indian to graduate from an Alton public school; after his discharge from the Army in 1945, he attended Shurtleff College, where he graduated with a degree in engineering; and

WHEREAS, Little Pony Eagle served his country as a member of the United States Army with the 5th Bomber Command during World War II in the Pacific Theatre; he earned 5 Bronze Stars and a Good Conduct Medal for his meritorious service; and

WHEREAS, Little Pony Eagle retired as an engineer from McDonnell Douglas, where he worked on the Gemini Project in the 1960s; and

WHEREAS, Little Pony Eagle was a Shriner and a 32nd Degree Mason with the Piasa Masonic Lodge #27 A.F. & A.M.; and

WHEREAS, Little Pony Eagle was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel Eagle; and

WHEREAS, Little Pony Eagle is survived by his sisters, Eagle Feather Barker and Two-Star Eagle; his nieces and nephews, Monica Star Jerrells, Traci Dale Barker, Derrick Tyler Barker, Thomas Eagle DeMond, Lance J. DeMond (Nancy), Jeffrey Val DeMond, Rexford Jason DeMond, Bene' Star Hentrich (Andy), and Lezlie Monique Kearney (Tim); and his 12 great-nieces and great-nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Little Pony Eagle; and be it further

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