HR0481 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0481 LRB102 20313 LAW 29168 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to commend Officer Rob Horner and paramedic Martin Carlen for their heroic and lifesaving actions on Silver Lake on September 8, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Silver Lake is located in Madison County; the lake is 550 acres in size and approximately 22 feet deep at its deepest point; anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish at Silver Lake, including Bluegill, Channel Catfish, and Largemouth Bass; and

WHEREAS, On September 8, 2021 at approximately 2 p.m., Highland Police Officer Rob Horner was signaled to stop by a driver, who alerted the officer to a capsized boat on Silver Lake; and

WHEREAS, Officer Horner arrived at the spillway and witnessed an upside-down sailboat with two passengers holding fast to the side; and

WHEREAS, With winds at least 20 mph that day, the men clinging to the boat could not hear Officer Horner calling to them; one of the men tried to climb onto the boat and kept falling back into the water; and

WHEREAS, Officer Horner made a call to the dispatcher requesting the rescue team and EMS, but he quickly realized the need to dive into the water; while waiting for the requested support to arrive, he began swimming the 150 yards to the two men in distress; and

WHEREAS, Due to the choppiness of the water, Officer Horner used the backstroke to conserve energy as he swam against the waves and wind; and

WHEREAS, The two fishermen were 76 and 83 years of age, respectively, and one had lost his life jacket and had his leg tangled in a rope; Officer Horner dove underwater to free the man's leg; eventually, the boat was flipped into position, and the passengers were able to regain their seats safely; and

WHEREAS, Meanwhile, paramedic Martin Carlen arrived and swam to the two men and Officer Horner; he then helped guide the boat to safety; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we commend Officer Rob Horner and paramedic Martin Carlen for their quick thinking, decisive actions, and teamwork that helped rescue two senior citizens from Silver Lake on September 8, 2021; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Officer Rob Horner and paramedic Martin Carlen as an expression of our esteem and respect.