HR0530 LRB096 13341 GRL 28037 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3 Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Illinois
4 Army National Guard Sergeant First Class Paul Smith of East
5 Peoria, who was killed in action in Kandahar, Afghanistan on
6 June 19, 2009; and
 
7     WHEREAS, SFC Paul Smith graduated from East Peoria High
8 School in 1984; he enlisted to serve in the United States Army
9 in 1993; serving as a tank gunner for 13 years, he and his
10 family traveled all over the world, spending time in Germany,
11 Texas, and Fort Riley, Kansas; no longer wanting to serve in
12 active duty, SFC Smith transferred into the National Guard and
13 the family moved back to East Peoria in 1996; and
 
14     WHEREAS, SFC Paul Smith served as a member of the Illinois
15 Army National Guard's 33rd Brigade Combat Team, which was
16 deployed in the summer and fall of 2008 to help train the
17 Afghan Army and National Police; his unit, Troop C, 2nd
18 Battalion of the 106th Cavalry Regiment, was providing
19 protection for Embedded Training Teams and the Afghans at the
20 time of his passing; and
 
21     WHEREAS, SFC Paul Smith was employed at G&D Integrated,
22 where he loaded and unloaded semi trucks; and
 

 

 

HR0530 - 2 - LRB096 13341 GRL 28037 r

1     WHEREAS, SFC Paul Smith enjoyed spending time with his
2 family, maintaining the small fish garden in his backyard, and
3 fixing things; and
 
4     WHEREAS, SFC Paul Smith is survived by his wife, Kim Smith,
5 and his children, Ben Smith and Sarah Appenheimer; and
 
6     WHEREAS, SFC Paul Smith's patriotism and courage will be
7 remembered fondly by his loving family, his fellow soldiers,
8 and the citizens of our grateful nation; therefore, be it
 
9     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
10 NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
11 mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of
12 Sergeant First Class Paul Smith; and be it further
 
13     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
14 presented to the family of SFC Paul Smith as an expression of
15 our sympathy.