Bill Text: IL HJR0105 | 2017-2018 | 100th General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates the Route 23 bridge in Streator over the Vermilion River as the "Vietnam Veteran Michael W. Ragusa Memorial Bridge".
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Passed) 2018-05-28 - Adopted Both Houses [HJR0105 Detail]
Download: Illinois-2017-HJR0105-Introduced.html
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1 | HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION
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2 | WHEREAS, It is highly fitting that we remember those who | ||||||
3 | contributed to the betterment of the State of
Illinois; and
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4 | WHEREAS, Michael W. Ragusa was born in Streator to Joseph | ||||||
5 | and Priscilla (Fulks)
Ragusa on September 2, 1948; he graduated | ||||||
6 | from Streator High School in 1967 and attended Illinois Valley | ||||||
7 | Community
College; he married Roseann Liss on May 24, 1975; and
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8 | WHEREAS, Michael Ragusa served with the United States | ||||||
9 | Marine Corps in Vietnam; and
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10 | WHEREAS, During the Vietnam War, millions of gallons of | ||||||
11 | Agent Orange were used as a weapon against
the Viet Cong; | ||||||
12 | Michael Ragusa was one of the thousands of soldiers exposed to | ||||||
13 | Agent Orange during the war; and
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14 | WHEREAS, For 35 years, Michael Ragusa worked for the | ||||||
15 | Disabled American Veterans and AMVETS of Illinois, where
he | ||||||
16 | dedicated his life to helping veterans; unfortunately, he | ||||||
17 | brought back part of Vietnam
with him, which would impact his | ||||||
18 | health, but never his spirit; and
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19 | WHEREAS, Michael Ragusa was a life member of the Illinois | ||||||
20 | AMVETS and Streator VFW Post 1492; he was also a member of the |
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1 | AMVETS Riders, the Pekin Marine Corps League, Streator American | ||||||
2 | Legion Post
217, and the Streator Elks Lodge 591; and
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3 | WHEREAS, Michael Ragusa, 68, passed away on September 27, | ||||||
4 | 2016 with his family by his side; he fought a courageous battle | ||||||
5 | for a long time and left this world with grace and dignity; and
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6 | WHEREAS, Michael Ragusa was preceded in death by his | ||||||
7 | parents and his brother, Joseph Alan Ragusa; and
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8 | WHEREAS, Surviving Michael Ragusa are his daughters, Renee | ||||||
9 | (John) Ainsley and Kim (Brad
Washkowiak) Ragusa; his | ||||||
10 | grandchildren, Scott Hays, Anthony Cunningham, and Alayna | ||||||
11 | Washkowiak; his brother, Chris (Cheri Michel) Ragusa; his | ||||||
12 | sister-in-law,
Debra Ragusa; his brother-in-law, Ray (Anita) | ||||||
13 | Liss; and several nieces and
nephews; and
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14 | WHEREAS, Michael Ragusa enjoyed watching the Chicago Cubs, | ||||||
15 | savoring a fine glass of wine, and most of all, he
loved to be | ||||||
16 | with his family; and
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17 | WHEREAS, Michael Ragusa was a humble man who did not truly | ||||||
18 | see how special he was; he always had a kind
word to say, was a | ||||||
19 | great giver of advice, and was an inspiration for all who knew | ||||||
20 | him; therefore, be it
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1 | RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE | ||||||
2 | HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE | ||||||
3 | CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate the Route 23 bridge in | ||||||
4 | Streator over the Vermilion River as the "Vietnam Veteran | ||||||
5 | Michael W. Ragusa Memorial Bridge"; and be it further
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6 | RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Transportation | ||||||
7 | is requested to erect at suitable locations,
consistent with | ||||||
8 | State and federal regulations, appropriate plaques or signs | ||||||
9 | giving notice of the name
"Vietnam Veteran Michael W. Ragusa | ||||||
10 | Memorial Bridge"; and be it further
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11 | RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be | ||||||
12 | presented to the Secretary of
Transportation, the Mayor of | ||||||
13 | Streator, and the family of Vietnam Veteran Michael Ragusa.
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