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1
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, It is highly fitting that the Illinois General
3Assembly pays honor and respect to the truly great individuals
4who have served their country; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Kenny Kays joined the U.S. Army in 1969 to serve
6as a medic; as of May 7, 1970, he was serving as a private in
7the Headquarters Company of 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry
8Regiment, 101st Airborne Division; and
 
9    WHEREAS, During a firefight on that day in Thua Thien–Hue
10Province, Republic of Vietnam, Pfc. Kays repeatedly allowed
11himself to be the target of enemy fire in order to treat
12wounded soldiers; even after losing his lower left leg to an
13explosion, he treated the wounds of his fellow soldiers before
14allowing his injuries to be addressed; these actions resulted
15in the saving of numerous lives and inspired others in his
16company to repel the enemy; and
 
17    WHEREAS, In November of 1973, Pfc. Kays was promoted to
18private first class and awarded the Medal of Honor for
19conspicuous gallantry intrepidity in action at the risk of his
20life above and beyond the call of duty; and
 
21    WHEREAS, Pfc. Kays' heroism at the risk of his life are in

 

 

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1keeping with the highest traditions of the service and reflect
2great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army; therefore, be
3it
 
4    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
5ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF
6REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate Illinois
7Route 15 from the western edge of Fairfield west to the
8intersection with County Highway 10 as the "Pfc. Kenny Kays
9Memorial Highway"; and be it further
 
10    RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Transportation
11is requested to erect at suitable locations, consistent with
12State and federal regulations, appropriate plaques or signs
13giving notice of the name the "Pfc. Kenny Kays Memorial
14Highway"; and be it further
 
15    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
16presented to the family of Pfc. Kays, the mayor of Fairfield,
17and the Secretary of Transportation.