HJ0080 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0080 LRB095 14718 GRL 40641 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of United States Marine Corporal Joseph E. Stevenson III of Downers Grove, who passed away on October 28, 2007; and

WHEREAS, He was a graduate of Downers Grove North High School, where he was voted captain of the school's swim team; and

WHEREAS, Before he was 18, he joined the Marine Corps, one of his lifelong goals; he entered active duty in 2005 and was deployed to Iraq in August 2006; after serving one tour in Iraq, he was sent to Camp Pendleton, California to undergo reconnaissance training, where he remained until his untimely death; and

WHEREAS, He was an avid fan of swimming; during military leave, he attended competitions for the Orchardbrook Swim Team to cheer for the children he had helped coach for three years; and

WHEREAS, Corporal Joseph E. Stevenson III is survived by his parents, Joseph Jr. and Barbara Ann Stamper-Stevenson; his sister, Lindsey Stevenson; his grandmothers, Dorothy and Mafalda; and his many friends and fellow soldiers; and

WHEREAS, Corporal Joseph E. Stevenson III will be remembered by all who knew and loved him as a loving and patriotic soldier who would fight until the end for his country, his family, and the Marine Corps; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of United States Marine Corporal Joseph E. Stevenson III; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we honor the memory of Corporal Joseph E. Stevenson III and his willingness to serve our country, which led to him making the ultimate sacrifice; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Corporal Joseph E. Stevenson III as an expression of our sympathy.