SR0136 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0136 LRB095 11818 GRL 35001 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are proud to memorialize the life of Private First Class Kenneth Kays of Fairfield, a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, who died November 29, 1991; and

WHEREAS, Private First Class Kenneth Kays was born on September 22, 1949 in Mount Vernon to John F. and Rachel Hall Kays; and

WHEREAS, Pfc. Kenneth Kays graduated from Fairfield High School in 1967; he was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, where he served with Company D, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry of the 101st Airborne Division as a medic; and

WHEREAS, Pfc. Kenneth Kays distinguished himself while serving near Fire Support Base Maureen at the Thua Thien province of Vietnam on May 7, 1970, when he risked his life to save three men in his company wounded by enemy fire during a nighttime ambush, including one soldier in enemy held territory; he performed these acts of bravery while under fire from concentrated enemy fire and explosive charges, one of which severed the lower portion of his left leg; only after his fellow wounded soldiers had been treated and evacuated did he allow his own wounds to be treated; Pfc. Kenneth Kays was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in recognition of his courage under fire; and

WHEREAS, Pfc. Kenneth Kays is survived by his uncle, George; he was preceded in death by his parents; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor the memory and heroic deeds of Private First Class Kenneth Kays; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Private First Class Kenneth Kays, as an expression of our utmost respect.