HR0514 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0514 LRB101 14336 MST 63243 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Benton native, Brandon Pinson, who was killed on September 3, 2019 while defusing an explosive device; and

WHEREAS, Brandon Pinson was a civilian employee of Facilities Services Directorate (FSD), a Geneva, Switzerland-based humanitarian, nongovernmental organization that clears explosives that threaten civilian populations in countries affected by war; and

WHEREAS, The Iraqi Directorate of Mine Action has opened an investigation into the incident, though an initial review has determined it was an accident and did not involve third parties; and

WHEREAS, Brandon Pinson worked in the area for five months, supervising one of FSD's 12 teams in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, Brandon Pinson, 31, was a U.S. Army veteran and married father of two; he served in the Army from 2008 through last year and did two tours in Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS, Brandon Pinson was trained at the Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal at Eglin Air Force Base in western Florida; and

WHEREAS, Those who knew Brandon Pinson described him as having a great sense of humor and a way of putting others at ease; he was the kid that would always have your back; and

WHEREAS, Brandon Pinson is survived by his wife, Samantha and their two young boys, and his parents, Karen and Robert Pinson; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his family and friends, mourn the passing of Brandon Pinson; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Brandon Pinson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.