HR0717 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0717 LRB098 15239 GRL 50245 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize and commend United States Army Staff Sergeant James J. Coffey for 20 years of distinguished service to our nation; and

WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant James Coffey joined the United States Army on December 20, 1993 and will retire effective December 20, 2013; he began his military career in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where he served in active duty for 26 months; in 1996, he joined the Illinois National Guard, where he served with the 3637th Maintenance Company at Camp Lincoln in Springfield; he also served as a Combat Engineer with the HSC 766th Engineer Battalion in Decatur; and

WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant James Coffey served in Operation Iraqi Freedom from February 25, 2004 to February 17, 2005 and Operation Enduring Freedom from December 5, 2008 to September 24, 2009; he has also assisted in operations during Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the Mississippi River Flood in 2008 and has participated in annual trainings in Germany and Korea; and

WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant James Coffey is a well-liked and deeply respected person; he has been the recipient of many medals and badges, including the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon, and several others; and

WHEREAS, As a highly regarded member of our armed forces, Staff Sergeant James Coffey has served our nation well with honor and distinction; the sacrifices made by him on behalf of all citizens are exemplary and worthy of our utmost gratitude and respect; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize and commend Staff Sergeant James J. Coffey, an Illinoisan in whom we take great pride, for his 20 years of distinguished and dedicated service to the United States Army and our nation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Staff Sergeant James Coffey as a symbol of our esteem and respect.