HJ0099 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0099 LRB099 14090 MST 38572 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, Army Sgt. Kenneth R. Nichols, Jr. was killed in Kunar Province, Afghanistan on December 1, 2009 when his unit was attacked by small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Nichols grew up in Chrisman; he graduated from Georgetown-Ridge High School in 2000 and joined the United States Army 5 years later; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Nichols was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division out of Fort Carson, Colorado and was serving in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Nichols was a 4-year Army veteran; he served a tour in Iraq from October of 2006 to December of 2007; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Nichols enjoyed playing pranks, riding his Harley-Davidson, and hanging out in a shed he built behind his Colorado Springs, Colorado home; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Nichols is survived by his wife, Lexi; his father, Kenneth R. Nichols, Sr.; his 4 children, Brhyleigh, Kenneth III, Branden, and Pailynn; and 2 sisters, Lisa and Cindy; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate the section of Illinois Route 1 that runs from the south end of Westville to Georgetown as the "Sgt. Kenneth R. Nichols, Jr. 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 "Sgt. Kenneth R. Nichols, Jr. Memorial Highway"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the family of Sgt. Nichols and the Secretary of the Department of Transportation.