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1
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, It is highly fitting that the Illinois General 
3Assembly pays honor and respect to those who have served our 
4country and, in doing so, have made the ultimate sacrifice for 
5our nation; and
 
6    WHEREAS, U.S. Army Sgt. Kenneth Levi Ridgley of Olney 
7always dreamed of becoming a soldier and used to spend time at 
8local military recruiting stations in his hometown; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Sgt. Ridgley joined the Illinois National Guard 
10and served for six years, a move that helped him earn his 
11tuition at Southern Illinois University; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Sgt. Ridgley joined the U.S. Army three years 
13after leaving the Illinois National Guard and was assigned to 
14the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th 
15Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, 
16Washington; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Sgt. Ridgley was killed in action on March 30, 
182005 while serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom when 
19shooting broke out at a checkpoint as U.S. soldiers prepared 
20to inspect a vehicle; therefore, be it
 
 
 
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1    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL 
2ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF 
3REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate U.S. 
4Highway 250 from the intersection of U.S. Highway 50 and 
5Illinois Route 130 in Olney to 10 miles west of Olney on U.S. 
6Highway 50 as the "Sgt. Levi Ridgley Memorial Road"; and be it 
7further
 
8    RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Transportation 
9is requested to erect at suitable locations, consistent with 
10State and federal regulations, appropriate plaques or signs 
11giving notice of the name "Sgt. Levi Ridgley Memorial Road"; 
12and be it further
 
13    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be 
14presented to the family of Sgt. Ridgley, the Mayor of Olney, 
15and the Secretary of the Illinois Department of 
16Transportation.