HR0545 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0545 LRB098 12936 GRL 47441 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to honor the life of retired United States Air Force Colonel George "Bud" Day, a Medal of Honor recipient, a prisoner of war in Vietnam, and one of the nation's most highly decorated servicemen, who passed away at the age of 88 on July 27, 2013, ending a remarkable life of service to American freedom; and

WHEREAS, George Day was born on February 24, 1925 in Sioux City, Iowa; he joined the United States Marine Corps in 1942 while still attending high school; he served in the Pacific Theater during World War II before returning home, graduating from law school and passing the Bar Exam in South Dakota in 1949; and

WHEREAS, George Day entered the Iowa National Guard in 1950, where he attended flight school; he was called to active duty by the United States Air Force the following year and served 2 tours as a bomber pilot during the Korean War; and

WHEREAS, While serving as an Air Force pilot in Vietnam, George Day was shot down on August 26, 1967 and held captive with his cellmate, future Arizona Senator John McCain, at the infamous Hanoi Hilton; he was often the highest-ranking captive and endured years of beatings, starvation, and torture; and

WHEREAS, On March 14, 1973, George Day was released and reunited with his wife and 4 children after being held captive for 5 years and 7 months; and

WHEREAS, On March 4, 1976, President Gerald Ford awarded George Day the Medal of Honor for his personal bravery while a captive in North Vietnam; and

WHEREAS, Upon George Day's retirement from active duty in 1977, he went on to practice law in Florida and became a crusader for veterans' health care benefits; in 2003, he brought a class action lawsuit before the United States Supreme Court which alleged that the government reneged on its promise to provide free lifetime health care to hundreds of thousands of Korean and World War II veterans; the case prompted Congress to pass legislation in 2000 expanding the military's TRICARE health insurance program to include veterans over the age of 65; and

WHEREAS, In 1989, George Day wrote about his experiences of being a prisoner of war in his autobiography "Return With Honor"; and

WHEREAS, George Day was the recipient of over 70 medals during his service in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam; he was the only person to receive the Medal of Honor and the Air Force Cross and was the nation's most highly decorated serviceman since General Douglas MacArthur; and

WHEREAS, George Day went on to be active in his friend Senator John McCain's political life, assisting him in both his 2000 and 2008 presidential bids; and

WHEREAS, Senator McCain referred to George Day as the "bravest of the brave" and as a "leader and inspiration"; the pair remained close friends until his passing; and

WHEREAS, George Day's service and patriotism will forever be remembered by the country he loved and served and his legacy will live on forever; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor the life and legacy of Colonel George "Bud" Day, acknowledge the passing of this great patriot, and extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to his wife, children, grandchildren, and loved ones; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Colonel George "Bud" Day as an expression of our sincere sympathy and gratitude to a man who dedicated his life to the service of his country.