HR1007

LRB095 19931 GRL 46352 r






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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
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Representatives are saddened to  learn of the death of
United 
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States Army Specialist Matthew F. Straughter of St. Charles, 
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Missouri, formerly of Belleville, who was killed in action in 
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Baghdad, Iraq on January 31, 2008; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Spc. Matthew F. Straughter joined the Missouri 
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Army National Guard as a combat engineer in December 2005; he 
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was assigned to the 1138th Engineer Company, 35th Engineer 
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Brigade of the Missouri National Guard out of Fort Leonard 
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Wood, Missouri; his unit was mobilized in July of 2007; and

 
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    WHEREAS, As a member of the 1138th Engineer Company, 35th 
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Engineer Brigade, Spc. Matthew F. Straughter located 
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improvised explosive devices and maintained traffic flow along 
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military supply routes; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Spc. Matthew F. Straughter served on Operation 
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Jump Start, the border security mission in Arizona, from 
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November of 2006 until June of 2007; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Spc. Matthew F. Straughter was the recipient of 
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several military medals, as well as the Army Service Ribbon, 
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Overseas Service Ribbon, Missouri Basic Training Ribbon, and 
 


 






HR1007
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LRB095 19931 GRL 46352 r




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Arizona Community Service Ribbon, in recognition of his 
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meritorious service; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Spc. Matthew F. Straughter was the dear husband of 
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Thelma M. Straughter; the dear son of Perry and Elizabeth 
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Vinson; the dear father of Matthew Jr., Serenity Renee, Donte, 
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Justice, and the stepfather of Tavia; the dear son-in-law of 
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Veronica King; and the dear brother of Andrew and Katherine; 
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therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of United 
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States Army Specialist Matthew F. Straughter; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That we honor the memory of Spc. Matthew F. 
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Straughter and  his willingness to serve our country, which led 
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to him making  the ultimate sacrifice; and be it further
 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to the family of Spc. Matthew F. Straughter as an 
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expression of our sympathy.