HJ0096 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0096 LRB099 13894 MST 38089 r

HOUSE 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, United States Army Specialist Christopher A. Patterson of North Aurora was killed in action in Afghanistan on January 6, 2012, along with 3 of his fellow Indiana National Guardsmen; and

WHEREAS, Spc. Patterson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on April 17, 1991 to Robert and Mary (nee Schneider) Patterson; he graduated from West Aurora High School in 2009 and continued his studies in music education at Valparaiso University in Indiana, where he was a member of the professional music fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and toured with the school's premiere vocal ensemble, the Chorale; he also composed and arranged music with a cappella group VuVox and for the West High STUDy Hall Choir; he was co-captain and first board for the West High Chess Team and was honored to be under the tutelage of Robert Payne; and

WHEREAS, Spc. Patterson came from a strong military family; he enlisted with the Indiana National Guard and served as a 12B Combat Engineer with the 713th Engineering Company (Sapper) based out of the Valparaiso Armory; and

WHEREAS, Despite receiving an authorized exception on his deployment to complete his studies, Spc. Patterson, embodying the true spirit of patriotism and bravery, volunteered to accompany his unit on its deployment; and

WHEREAS, Spc. Patterson is survived by his parents, Robert and Mary Patterson; his 3 brothers, Carl Patterson, Sean (Anna) Patterson, and Thomas Patterson; his paternal grandparents, Durland and Sally (nee Clark) Patterson; his maternal grandparents, Jim and Claire (nee Dux) Schneider; his godparents, Kathy and George Jirasek; many aunts, uncles, nephews, cousins, and dear friends; and by his "adopted" siblings, Billy Czech, Aaron Foster, and Candace Robinson; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate the section of Illinois Route 31 as it passes through North Aurora as the "Spc. Christopher A. Patterson 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 "Spc. Christopher A. Patterson Memorial Highway"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and the family of Spc. Patterson.