HR1282 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1282 LRB100 24101 ALS 43211 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Blake James Dale Kinnett of Alvin, Illinois is a strong-willed, independent, and hard-working high school student; he is the son of John and Becky Kinnett and has two siblings, a sister, Kaitlyn, and a brother, Garet; he attended Bismarck Henning Rossville Alvin Cooperative High School, where he enjoyed playing football and basketball for the Blue Devils; and

WHEREAS, Blake Kinnett has always had a passion for sports, especially baseball and basketball; he was a two-time State Champion in baseball by the age of 12 and played baseball in Cooperstown, New York with the Iliana Chiefs team which placed 21st out of 130 teams; during this time, he was a source of inspiration for his teammates, as he played baseball despite having a broken arm; and

WHEREAS, In addition to being an accomplished baseball player, Blake Kinnett enjoyed playing basketball in Alvin, where a community court has been renamed Kinnett's Court in his honor; and

WHEREAS, When he was not busy playing sports, Blake Kinnett could be found spending time with his friends, and family, riding around on his golf cart, fishing, or hunting turkeys; and

WHEREAS, In February 2017, Blake Kinnett was diagnosed with Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), a genetic disease that destroys the protective myelin sheath that surrounds the brain's neurons; and

WHEREAS, ALD affects 1 in 18,000 people, mostly boys and men; there is no cure for ALD; and

WHEREAS, In the wake of Blake Kinnett's diagnosis, the community of Alvin has been incredibly generous and supportive of him and his family; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we commend Blake Kinnett for his courage and determination in the face of his ALD diagnosis; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we also commend the Kinnett family and the community of Alvin for their unwavering support of Blake; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Blake Kinnett and his family as a symbol of our esteem and respect.