093_HR0255

 
                                     LRB093 11620 KEF 15191 r

 1                          HOUSE RESOLUTION

 2        WHEREAS, The members of the House of  Representatives  of
 3    the  State  of  Illinois were saddened to learn of the combat
 4    death of  Private  Jonathan  Gifford,  United  States  Marine
 5    Corps, of Decatur on March 23, 2003 in Iraq; and

 6        WHEREAS,   Private  Gifford  was  a  member  of  the  1st
 7    Battalion, 2nd Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade  of
 8    the  United States Marine Corps; he was killed in action near
 9    An Nasiriyah in an ambush; and

10        WHEREAS, Private Gifford was born on October 30, 1972; he
11    graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in 1991; he joined
12    the United States Marine Corps on October 30, 2001; and

13        WHEREAS, Private Gifford had been employed as  a  laborer
14    at  Archer Daniels Midland in Decatur; he enjoyed hunting and
15    holds the Pope and Young bowhunting record for the taking  of
16    a 10-point buck; and

17        WHEREAS,  Private Gifford always fought for the underdog,
18    so it was fitting that he was fighting for the freedom of the
19    Iraqi people; and

20        WHEREAS, The passing of Private Jonathan Gifford has been
21    deeply felt by many, especially his daughter, Lexie  Gifford;
22    his  mother,  Vicky  J. Langley; his father, John L. Gifford;
23    his stepmother, Carol Gifford; his stepfather,  Tim  Langley;
24    his half-sisters, Tiffany Blastenbri and Valerie Gifford; his
25    maternal grandparents, William Godfrey, Jr. and Reva Godfrey;
26    his  paternal  grandparents,  Ronald  and  Peggy Gifford; his
27    former wife, Vickey; and his several aunts,  uncles,  nieces,
28    and nephews; therefore, be it

29        RESOLVED,   BY   THE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES  OF  THE
30    NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS,  that
31    together  with his family, friends, and this great nation, we
 
                            -2-      LRB093 11620 KEF 15191 r
 1    mourn the passing of Private Jonathan Gifford, United  States
 2    Marine  Corps,  and  extend  to  his  family  and friends our
 3    deepest condolences; and be it further

 4        RESOLVED, That we honor the memory of Private Gifford and
 5    his willingness to serve our country, which led to him making
 6    the ultimate sacrifice; and be it further

 7        RESOLVED, That a suitable  copy  of  this  resolution  be
 8    presented  to  the family of Private Jonathan Gifford, United
 9    States Marine Corps, as an expression of our sincere sympathy
10    during their time of loss.