SR0171 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0171 LRB096 12137 GRL 24346 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of United States Army Sergeant Christopher Abeyta of Midlothian, who passed away on March 15, 2009 in Jalalabad, Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Christopher Abeyta graduated from Bremen High School in 2003, where he was a three-sport athlete in school, excelling in track, football, and wrestling; he was regarded by his peers as an excellent student who was polite and respectful of others; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Christopher Abeyta became a member of the Illinois National Guard in 2002, where he served his country with pride and distinction as a member of 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team based out of Woodstock; he had served in Iraq from October of 2003 through early 2005 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom; he was serving his second deployment in eastern Afghanistan at the time of his unfortunate passing; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Christopher Abeyta graduated in 2007 from Harold Washington College in Chicago with an associate degree; he had recently been working as a criminal background investigator and wished to stay in the military and become a paramedic in the future; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Christopher Abeyta was a self-described writer who had kept a journal since he was 11 years old; he also enjoyed reading, listening to music, and cheering up his friends with his goofy sense of humor; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Christopher Abeyta was the loving son of Paul and Barbara (nee Smith); the only grandson of Elvira Abeyta and Jim Vezina; the beloved nephew of Tom (Chris) Smith, Tracy (Dave) Lohmar, Robert M. (Maureen) Smith, T.J. (Molly) Smith, Margo (Rene) Canales, Peilo Garcia, Victor Garcia, Tony Garcia, Lonny Abeyta, Fred Garcia, Roy Garcia, and Sandy (Junior) Scardini; and the dear cousin of Kristy Barber, Emma Canales, Erica Canales, Ariel Abeyta, Steven Smith, Carrie Smith, Michael Smith, Bill Paul, Samantha Paul, Mathew Smith, Patrick Smith, and Freddy Garcia; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Christopher Abeyta's patriotism and courage will be remembered fondly by his loving family, his fellow soldiers, and the citizens of our grateful nation; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of United States Army Sergeant Christopher Abeyta; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we honor the memory of Sergeant Christopher Abeyta 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 Sergeant Christopher Abeyta as an expression of our sympathy.