HJ0107 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0107 LRB101 20577 MST 70202 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

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

WHEREAS, William Eugene Campbell was born to Ida Marie and Kenneth Campbell on October 24, 1948; he was one of eight children along with his brother, Robert Dean Campbell, and his six sisters, Sandy Painter, Betty Evans, Judy Buchanan, Joyce Borchers, Janet Barker, and Jeanne Taylor; and

WHEREAS, William Eugene Campbell graduated in June of 1968 from Gibson City High School at a trying time for many young men due to the heavy involvement of the United States in the Vietnam War; and

WHEREAS, Like many others facing the draft, William Eugene Campbell was called to serve in the U.S. Army on August 12, 1968; and

WHEREAS, Just under a year into his service on August 2, 1969, William Eugene Campbell was killed in action, the first and only casualty from Gibson City; and

WHEREAS, William Eugene Campbell received several recognitions for his actions in Vietnam, including the Silver Star, which was presented to his mother Ida, for the time he "distinguished himself as a leader in Company B, First Airborne Battalion 501st Infantry during a search and clear operation near the city of Tam Ky, Republic of Vietnam"; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his Silver Star, William Eugene Campbell received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, and the Combat Infantryman Badge; and

WHEREAS, William Eugene Campbell's heroism and willingness to sacrifice his own well-being was an inspiration to his entire platoon; his bravery and devotion to duty and his fellow soldiers were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service; and

WHEREAS, William Eugene Campbell's actions reflect positively on himself, his family, his unit, and the U.S. Army; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate Illinois Route 47 as it travels through Gibson City as the "Vietnam Veteran William Eugene Campbell 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 of the "Vietnam Veteran William Eugene Campbell Memorial Highway"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of William Eugene Campbell, the Mayor of Gibson City, and the Secretary of Transportation.