Bill Text: IL SJR0046 | 2021-2022 | 102nd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Designates the portion of Illinois Route 3 between mile marker 20 and mile marker 22, near Rockwood, as the "1LT James F. Claussen Memorial Highway".

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-02-09 - Referred to Assignments [SJR0046 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2021-SJR0046-Introduced.html

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SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, It is appropriate to remember the many sacrifices
and contributions to the cause of freedom made by the
outstanding men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces;
and
WHEREAS, First Lieutenant James F. Claussen was born to
Ernest and Stella Claussen on Christmas Day in 1921; at the
time, the family lived on a small farm near Jacob; and
WHEREAS, 1LT Claussen voluntarily enlisted in the U.S.
Army in June of 1940 with the goal of becoming a paratrooper;
he did not meet the Army's size requirements to become a
paratrooper and redirected his efforts to becoming a pilot;
and
WHEREAS, From June of 1943 until his death in March of
1945, 1LT Claussen flew seven combat missions over Sicily,
France, Holland, and Germany; and
WHEREAS, On March 24, 1945, 1LT Claussen was killed in
action while taking part in Operation Varsity; while his three
year commitment when enlisting had ended, he volunteered to
fly the day he was killed in action; his C-46 Commando was last
seen with its left engine on fire heading back across the Rhine

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River after successfully dropping all of its paratroopers; and
WHEREAS, 1LT Claussen was the recipient of the Air Medal,
the American Defense Service Medal, and the Good Conduct
Medal; he was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart;
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate the
portion of Illinois Route 3 between mile marker 20 and mile
marker 22, near Rockwood, as the "1LT James F. Claussen
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 of "1LT James F. Claussen Memorial
Highway"; and be it further
RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
presented to the Secretary of Transportation and the family of
1LT Claussen.