HR1360 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1360 LRB099 22402 MST 49821 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, On June 7, 2016, five police officers were murdered in Dallas, Texas; and

WHEREAS, Four of those officers were members of the Dallas Police Department; one was an officer with the Dallas Area Rapid Transit police force; and

WHEREAS, At the time of their deaths, the officers were performing their sworn duty, guarding civilians during an emotionally bitter protest march that was being actively covered by the news media; and

WHEREAS, As a result of these officers performing their duties by standing guard, the killer knew exactly where they would be and was able to set up positions from which to ambush them; and

WHEREAS, In addition to the police officers who were killed, six other police officers and one civilian were injured; and

WHEREAS, The death toll of this incident, and the circumstances surrounding the shootings, have led it to be characterized as one of the worst atrocities in the history of United States urban violence; and

WHEREAS, The circumstances of this incident make it all the more essential that Americans respond as members of a common society and country, this response being the best (and possibly the only) way to avoid spiraling downhill into a mental state of hatred, fear, and bitterness; and

WHEREAS, The fallen Dallas Police Department officers are Lorne Ahrens, Michael Krol, Michael Smith, and Patrick Zamarripa; the fallen Dallas Area Rapid Transit officer is Brent Thompson; they, and their fellow officers who were injured or maimed in this incident, will be remembered on the honor roll of their service by the police officers and civilians of the United States; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we pay solemn tribute to the memories of the fallen officers of Dallas, Texas, and to the traditions of service for which they and their families paid the ultimate sacrifice; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we mark the adoption of this resolution with a moment of silent reflection in honor of these fallen heroes of American law enforcement; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution shall be presented to the Chiefs of Police of the Dallas Police Department and the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Police Department, as tokens of the honor paid by Illinois to these fallen and wounded officers, and as an expression of due deference to the police officers of the United States.