SJ0005 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, It is highly fitting that the Illinois General Assembly pays honor and respect to the truly great individuals who have served our country and, in doing so, have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Dean Russell Shaffer graduated from Pekin Community High School in 2007, where he was Junior ROTC and on the Drill Team all four years; he was also Honor Guard his senior year, working his way up to the top of command; following high school, he enlisted in the United States Army; he went on to his Advanced Individual Training - Black Hawk repair; he was stationed in Hawaii at Scofield AAF from 2009 to 2010; his unit, the 25th Infantry Division, was deployed and completed a tour in Iraq; after his return from Iraq, he was scheduled to change bases, but he elected to stay with the 25th and became Crew Chief; and

WHEREAS, On January 9, 2012, the 25th Infantry Division was deployed to Afghanistan; on April 19, 2012, Sgt. Shaffer's crew was running a standard escort mission for Med-Vac; later that evening, the Black Hawk helicopter he was on crashed, killing all four crew members; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Shaffer was posthumously promoted to the rank of Sergeant; he was awarded numerous commendations, including the Bronze Star, the Enduring Freedom Medal, and the Hawaiian Honor Medal; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Shaffer is remembered most for his infectious smile; his presence would put everyone into a good mood; he loved his family, his country, and his friends, and he was more than willing to risk his life to protect all of it; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate the section of Illinois Route 98 from its intersection with Illinois Route 29 to its intersection with McNaughton Park Drive as the "Sgt. Dean Russel Shaffer Memorial Highway"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Transportation is requested to erect at suitable locations, consistent with State and federal regulations, appropriate plaques or signs giving notice of the name "Sgt. Dean Russel Shaffer Memorial Highway"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and the family of Sgt. Shaffer.