HR0316LRB098 11947 MST 45323 r


  
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives are pleased to recognize William Grahame 
4Wilkin III for creating the original artwork that is featured 
5on the now iconic POW/MIA flag; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, William Wilkin III was a junior at Glenbard South 
7High School in 1983 when he created the artwork for a contest 
8he entered and took 3rd place; unbeknownst to him, the artwork 
9was appropriated for use on the POW/MIA flag when congress 
10voted to make it an official flag of the United States in 
111988-1989; and
  
 
12    WHEREAS, The artwork is based on the Apostle Paul's 
13writings while incarcerated; if the artwork is spun from 12 
14o'clock to 3:15, the tower becomes 3 crosses on the hill; the 
15silhouette is looking down and away in self pity or looking 
16away from God; the circle is all of the worldy things keeping 
17him from turning to God; and the flag is black, a symbol of 
18lost hope; and
  
 
19    WHEREAS, William Wilkin III's original phrase accompanying 
20the artwork was "I believe they are alive"; the flag now reads 
21"We will never forget"; and
  
 
  
 
 
HR0316- 2 -LRB098 11947 MST 45323 r

1    WHEREAS, William Wilkin III is married to Jodi and they 
2have 2 daughters, Madalyne and Alexandra; therefore, be it
  
 
3    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
4NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
5we recognize William Wilkin III for creating the original 
6artwork for the POW/MIA flag and thank him for his contribution 
7to his country; and be it further
  
 
8    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
9presented to William Wilkin III as an expression of our esteem 
10and respect.