HR0580 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0580 LRB102 22826 MST 31976 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, On December 10, 2021, severe storms and tornadoes ripped through the Southern and Midwestern United States, damaging homes and businesses in Edwardsville; six employees tragically lost their lives, and one employee sustained serious injuries at the Edwardsville Amazon warehouse; and

WHEREAS, Severe weather and tornado warnings were issued, giving notice to residents to take cover and seek shelter; and

WHEREAS, The victims of this natural disaster deserve to be recognized; they are Deandre S. Morrow, 28, of St. Louis, Kevin D. Dickey, 62, of Carlyle, Clayton Lynn Cope, 29, of Alton, Etheria S. Hebb, 34, of St. Louis, Larry E. Virden, 46, of Collinsville, and Austin J. McEwen, 26, of Edwardsville; and

WHEREAS, Craig Yost, 39, deserves support during his recovery from injuries sustained while trapped due to storm damage at the Amazon warehouse; and

WHEREAS, The health and safety of workers must be a priority for all employers, especially as severe weather events increase; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the victims of the December 10, 2021 storms and honor their memories; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to thoroughly conduct their investigation into the Edwardsville Amazon warehouse to ensure that proper safety protocols were followed before and during the severe weather event, that the warehouse was built to code and offered proper storm shelter for employees, and that OSHA and the other proper authorities can immediately implement proper protocols where needed; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge Amazon to review their personnel policies to compensate workers that lost income due to the severe weather event, as well as the families of those who lost their loved ones and those who were injured.