HR0159 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0159 LRB097 11009 KXB 51781 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate United States Army Private First Class Thomas Leonard of Aurora, as he returns home from his tour of duty in Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS, He is a Combat Engineer with the 2nd Engineer Battalion based in White Sands, New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, His job is to clear the paths and roadways of IEDs and bombs; and

WHEREAS, Private Leonard was injured in an IED explosion on September 19, 2010 that also critically injured another soldier; and

WHEREAS, Despite his own injuries, Private Leonard saw that his fellow soldier was in need of assistance and rendered aid, saving the soldier's life; and

WHEREAS, For his actions, Private Leonard was awarded the Purple Heart, and received an Army Commendation Medal with Valor from United States Army General David Petraeus; and

WHEREAS, Private Leonard is the son of Kathy Leonard; he has a daughter, Annabelle Skye Leonard; he graduated from Kaneland High School and has lived in Aurora for the past six years; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Private First Class Thomas Leonard on his return home and thank him for proudly serving his country in Afghanistan; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Private First Class Thomas Leonard as a symbol of our respect and esteem.