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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3 learn of the death of United States Army Corporal Albert Bitton
4 of Chicago, who was killed in the line of duty on February 19,
5 2008 in Baghdad, Iraq; and
 
6     WHEREAS, Corporal Albert Bitton grew up in West Rogers
7 Park; he graduated from Ida Crown Jewish Academy, where he was
8 a member of the school wrestling team, developed his great
9 artistic talent, and made many friends; and
 
10     WHEREAS, Corporal Albert Bitton aspired to be a doctor his
11 entire life; he had shown an unusual talent for medical matters
12 even as a child; his love for medicine drove him to serve his
13 country in the armed forces; and
 
14     WHEREAS, Stirred by his intense patriotism and his need for
15 medical training for his planned future career as a surgeon,
16 Corporal Albert Bitton joined the United States Army in
17 December 2005 as a medic with the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry
18 Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne
19 Division (Air Assault); he had been stationed in Iraq since
20 October of 2007; and
 
21     WHEREAS, Corporal Albert Bitton was particularly proud of

 

 

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1 his Jewish heritage; he attended Congregation K.I.N.S. of West
2 Rogers Park, an Orthodox synagogue, with his family; even
3 during his tour of duty, he would consistently put on his
4 tefillin and pray every morning; he also put up a large Israeli
5 flag in his barracks, which he displayed proudly; and
 
6     WHEREAS, Corporal Albert Bitton is survived by his wife,
7 Melissa Handelman; his parents, Elie and Silvia Bitton; and his
8 sisters, Elizabeth and Jackie; and
 
9     WHEREAS, Corporal Albert Bitton will be remembered by all
10 who knew and loved him as a fun, caring, and friendly soldier,
11 family member, and friend whose piety and patriotism were
12 unmatched; therefore, be it
 
13     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL
14 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with
15 his family and friends, the passing of United States Army
16 Corporal Albert Bitton; and be it further
 
17     RESOLVED, That we honor the memory of Corporal Albert
18 Bitton and his willingness to serve our country, which led to
19 him making the ultimate sacrifice; and be it further
 
20     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
21 presented to the family of Corporal Albert Bitton as an

 

 

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1 expression of our sympathy.