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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are pleased to congratulate Army Chief Warrant
4Officer 4 Walter Brian Harris of Glen Carbon on being awarded
5the Soldier's Medal; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Walter Harris was presented with the Soldier's
7Medal for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict
8with an armed enemy on December 2, 2006, while responding to a
9family emergency; without regard for his own safety and
10well-being, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Harris entered a poisonous
11house that had 8 times the lethal limit of carbon monoxide in
12it after learning that several family members were trapped
13inside; he rescued his semi-conscious father-in-law and
14treated him for shock, and re-entered the house to carry out
15the body of his deceased mother-in-law before succumbing to
16carbon monoxide poisoning himself; and
 
17    WHEREAS, The courage and heroic action of Walter Harris are
18in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and
19reflect well on him, the Defense Information Systems Agency,
20and the United States Army; and
 
21    WHEREAS, Walter Harris is the first Army Reservist to
22receive the Soldier's Medal and only the sixth person in the

 

 

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1State's history to receive the Soldier's Medal; and
 
2    WHEREAS, The Soldier's Medal is awarded to any person of
3the Armed Forces of the United States or of a friendly foreign
4nation who, while serving in any capacity with the Army of the
5United States, distinguishes himself or herself by heroism not
6involving actual conflict with an enemy; and
 
7    WHEREAS, During his service, Walter Harris has also been
8honored with the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service
9Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement,
10Army Achievement Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Good
11Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with 6
12Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest
13Asia Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal,
14Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal,
15Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Armed Forces
16Reserve Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army
17Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Reserve
18Components Overseas Training Ribbon, Kuwait Liberation
19Medal-Saudi Arabia, Kuwait Liberation Medal-Kuwait, Joint
20Meritorious Unit Award with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, and Army
21Meritorious Unit Commendation; and
 
22    WHEREAS, Walter Harris serves as a model example of
23military service for the people of the State of Illinois;

 

 

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1therefore, be it
 
2    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
3NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
4we congratulate Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Walter Brian
5Harris on being awarded the Soldier's Medal and wish him the
6best in his future endeavors; and be it further
 
7    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
8presented to Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Walter Brian Harris
9as a symbol of our respect and esteem.