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1
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, It is highly fitting that the Illinois General

3Assembly pays honor and respect to the truly great individuals

4who have served their country; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Kenny Kays joined the U.S. Army in 1969 to serve 
6as a medic; as of May 7, 1970, he was serving as a private in 
7the Headquarters Company of 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry 
8Regiment, 101st Airborne Division; and
  
 
9    WHEREAS, During a firefight on that day in Thua Thien–Hue 
10Province, Republic of Vietnam, Pfc. Kays repeatedly allowed  
11himself to be the target of enemy fire in order to treat 
12wounded soldiers; even after losing his lower left leg to an 
13explosion, he treated the wounds of his fellow soldiers before 
14allowing his injuries to be addressed; these actions resulted 
15in the saving of numerous lives and inspired others in his 
16company to repel the enemy; and
  
 
17    WHEREAS, In November of 1973, Pfc. Kays was promoted to 
18private first class and awarded the Medal of Honor for 
19conspicuous gallantry intrepidity in action at the risk of his 
20life above and beyond the call of duty; and
  
 
  
21    WHEREAS, Pfc. Kays' heroism at the risk of his life are in 
 
 
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1keeping with the highest traditions of the service and reflect 
2great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army; therefore, be 
3it
  
 
4    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL 
5ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF 
6REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate Illinois 
7Route 15 from the western edge of Fairfield west to the 
8intersection with County Highway 10 as the "Pfc. Kenny Kays 
9Memorial Highway"; and be it further
 
10    RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Transportation

11is requested to erect at suitable locations, consistent with

12State and federal regulations, appropriate plaques or signs

13giving notice of the name the "Pfc. Kenny Kays Memorial 
14Highway"; and be it further
  
 
15    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be 
16presented to the family of Pfc. Kays, the mayor of Fairfield, 
17and the Secretary of Transportation.