HJ0059 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0059 LRB102 18115 MST 25344 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

WHEREAS, Earl Williams Riggins was born in Champaign to Carl and Marie Kobel Riggins on November 16, 1924; he graduated from Champaign High School in 1942 and enlisted in the U.S. Marines; and

WHEREAS, Earl Riggins served aboard the USS Indianapolis, which was torpedoed and sank while out at sea on July 30, 1945; and

WHEREAS, Earl Riggins survived for five nights and four days in the shark-infested waters of the South Pacific; he was one of 317 survivors out of a crew of 1,197; and

WHEREAS, Earl Riggins married Dorothy Wright of Champaign on March 1, 1947, and they spent much of their lives farming in Newman with their three children, Steve, Linda, and Judy; they retired to Oakland in 1989, eventually moving to the Primrose Retirement Center in Decatur; and

WHEREAS, Earl Riggins was an active member in the USS Indianapolis Survivor Organization and participated in many reunions and numerous events to tell the "Indy Story"; he was also active in the American Legion in Newman and the VFW in Oakland, where he developed special bonds with many members of both groups; and

WHEREAS, Earl Riggins was a member of the Douglas County Farm Bureau, where he served on the board of directors for several years; both he and Dorothy were members of the Oakland Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS, Earl Riggins spent most of his adult life as a horse enthusiast; he was a member of the Illinois Quarter Horse Association and showed in events throughout the United States from the 1970s to 2000s; he also enjoyed trail riding with friends; and

WHEREAS, Earl Riggins enjoyed spending time with his family; he loved fishing in Canada, teaching his children and grandchildren horse riding, and watching his grandchildren play basketball; and

WHEREAS, Earl Riggins's stories of the "Indy" and of his life's travels will be remembered and treasured by all; and

WHEREAS, Earl Riggins passed away on February 23, 2011; and

WHEREAS, At the time of his passing, Earl Riggins was survived by his wife, Dorothy; his children, Steve Riggins and Judy Riggins Whalen; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and his brother, Richard Riggins; he was preceded in death by his brother, Paul Riggins, and his daughter, Linda Riggins; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate Illinois Route 36 as it travels through Newman as the "Earl Riggins Memorial Highway-Survivor USS Indianapolis"; 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 "Earl Riggins Memorial Highway-Survivor USS Indianapolis"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the family of Earl Riggins, the Mayor of Newman, and the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation.