SR0273 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0273 LRB095 12586 GRL 37840 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of U.S. Army Specialist Karen Clifton, who was killed in action in Baghdad, Iraq on June 21, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Spc. Karen Clifton was born May 10, 1985 in Decatur; her parents are Doug V. Clifton and Chris (Maurer) Hancock; and

WHEREAS, Spc. Karen Clifton attended school in Mount Zion through her junior year and was active in the Mt. Zion Police Department Explorer's Program; she moved to Florida in her senior year, where she completed high school in 2003; and

WHEREAS, Spc. Karen Clifton returned to Illinois after graduation and enlisted in the U.S. Army, to begin a career with the Military Police; she was currently serving her country in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and obtained the rank of Specialist in the 544th MP CO, Forward Platoon, 630th MP CO, 759th MP Battalion of the 89th MP Brigade; she was scheduled to complete her one-year tour of duty in Iraq in June 2007, but had her tour of duty extended until October 2007; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of her incredible bravery, Spc. Karen Clifton was posthumously promoted to the rank of Corporal and was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, Combat Action Badge, and the Army Good Conduct Medal; and

WHEREAS, Spc. Karen Clifton was an avid Indy car racing fan who hoped to see the day a woman would win a big race; she also loved to shop and eat out, especially at the El Matador and Red Lobster restaurants when she returned home on leave; and

WHEREAS, Spc. Karen Clifton was preceded in death by her niece; and

WHEREAS, Spc. Karen Clifton is survived by her father; her mother, Chris Hancock; her sisters, Cindy (Blake) Blackston and Katie Maple; her stepsister, Heather Maple; her stepbrother, Sean Maple; her grandparents, Vernon and Carol Clifton and Sheila and Richard Cairns; her grandfather, Lee Maurer; her nephew, Corbin Davis, her niece, Allysa Davis, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins who loved her very much; and

WHEREAS, Spc. Karen Clifton's dedication to her country serves as an inspiration to the people of the State of Illinois and our nation; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with her family and friends, the passing of U.S. Army Specialist Karen Clifton; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we honor the memory of Specialist Karen Clifton and her willingness to serve our country, which led to her making the ultimate sacrifice; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of U.S. Army Specialist Karen Clifton as an expression of our sympathy.