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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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| | HJ0105 | - 3 - | LRB100 20428 MST 35765 r |
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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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