HJ0060 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0060 LRB103 39670 MST 70064 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, It is highly fitting that the Illinois General Assembly pays honor and respect to those who have served our country and, in doing so, have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation; and

WHEREAS, United States Army Staff Sergeant Robert J. Miller of Oviedo, Florida, formerly of Wheaton, was killed in action near Barikowt, Afghanistan on January 25, 2008; and

WHEREAS, SSG Miller was a Special Forces weapons sergeant assigned to Company A, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne); and

WHEREAS, SSG Miller was born on October 14, 1983 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; he was a 2002 graduate of Wheaton North High School; he volunteered for military service and enlisted in the U.S. Army on August 14, 2003 as a Special Forces candidate, graduating from the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2005 and earning the coveted Green Beret; and

WHEREAS, SSG Miller was deployed with 3rd SFG (A) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2006; during his deployment, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with Valor for his courage in the face of the enemy; he was also promoted to the rank of staff sergeant while deployed; his other awards and decorations include the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, two Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons, the NATO Medal, the Parachutist Badge, the Ranger Tab, and the Special Forces Tab; and

WHEREAS, SSG Miller will be honored by St. Michael Church and School in Wheaton with the naming of a plaza in his honor; and

WHEREAS, SSG Miller was inducted as a Laureate of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois and awarded the Order of Lincoln, the State's highest honor, by the Governor in 2012; and

WHEREAS, SSG Miller's extraordinary valor ultimately saved the lives of seven members of his own team and 15 Afghanistan National Army soldiers; and

WHEREAS, SSG Miller was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty, and at the cost of his own life; these actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself; and

WHEREAS, SSG Miller is survived by his parents, Philip and Maureen Miller; his brothers, Thomas, Martin, and Edward; and his sisters, Joanna, Mary, Therese, and Patricia; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate the section of Illinois Route 38 in Wheaton between County Farm Road and Winfield Road as the "U.S. Army SSG Robert J. Miller Memorial Highway"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Transportation is requested to erect, at suitable locations consistent with State and federal regulations, appropriate plaques or signs giving notice of the name "U.S. Army SSG Robert J. Miller Memorial Highway"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the family of SSG Miller and the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation.