HR0558 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0558 LRB096 13499 KXB 28234 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Lieutenant Jared W. Southworth of Oakland, who was killed in the line of duty while serving in Helmand, Afghanistan, on February 8, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Jared W. Southworth was born on May 28, 1982 in Mattoon, the oldest son of Robert and Kimberly Pierson Southworth; he was raised and educated in Oakland, and graduated from Oakland High School in 2000; he later graduated from Lakeland College, and Eastern Illinois University, where he was in the ROTC program; and

WHEREAS, On March 24, 2001 he married Chrissy Lynn Royer at the Oakland Christian Church; and

WHEREAS, Jared was a Lieutenant in the HHC 2/130 Infantry Division of the Illinois National Guard, and was a United States Army Ranger; he lived his life by the motto "God, Family, Country"; he was a member of the Oakland Christian Church, was a devoted husband, father, son, and brother, and loved the National Guard, considering it his privilege to serve his country; and

WHEREAS, Jared served the community of Oakland as a part-time police officer, and befriended many; he will always be remembered for his abilities on the baseball field, and for his general love of life; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his great-grandmother, Ettoil Coon; his paternal grandfather, William Southworth; and his maternal grandfather, Robert Pierson; and

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Jared W. Southworth is survived by his wife, Chrissy Southworth; his four children, Logan, age 7, Owen, age 6, Carly, age 3, and Ally, age 2; his parents, Bob and Kim Southworth; his brother, Michael Southworth and his fiancée, Katie O'Connor; his sister, Nikki Bancroft and her husband, Brian; his nephew, Preston Bancroft; his paternal grandmother, Karen Watson; and his maternal grandparents, Gene and Joan Hartke; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family, friends, and a grateful nation, the passing of Lieutenant Jared W. Southworth; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we honor the memory of Jared Southworth and his willingness to serve his country, which led to him making the ultimate sacrifice; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Lieutenant Jared W. Southworth as a symbol of our respect and sincere sympathy.