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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate wish to 
3recognize the life of Otis J. Neal of Paris, who passed away on 
4May 18, 1968; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Otis Neal first served his country in 1916 during 
6the Mexican Border Expedition, then in World War I, where he 
7fought in the battles of Lorraine and Aisne, and again in World 
8War II, where he served in the European Theater and Northern 
9Africa; and
  
 
10    WHEREAS, Otis Neal was born in Pleasureville, Kentucky on 
11October 11, 1898 to James Henry and Elizabeth (nee Coleman) 
12Neal, but moved with his family to Paris at a young age, and he 
13would remain a resident the rest of his life; he married Mary 
14Jean England; and
  
 
15    WHEREAS, Otis Neal's descendants include a daughter, 
16Sandra Neal Darby; 2 granddaughters, Deedra Darby Jones and 
17Chastity Darby Arrasmith; and 3 great-grandchildren, Jordan 
18Arrasmith, Mekenzie Arrasmith, and Jada Jones; and
  
 
19    WHEREAS, At the time of Otis Neal's passing, he was 
20survived by a sister, Hattie Mae Thomas; he was preceded in 
21death by 3 brothers and 2 sisters; and
  
 
 
 
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1    WHEREAS, Otis Neal was a member of the local American 
2Legion post, where he proudly served as a member of the Honor 
3Guard; he was affiliated with Grace AME Church; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Until recently, the grave of Otis Neal has been 
5obscure and was not befitting of his dedication and 
6accomplishments as a soldier in the 8th Illinois National Guard -
7 a unit comprised of African-American soldiers; on May 24, 
82014 he will be the focus of a military tribute at Edgar 
9Cemetery in Paris where a new monument will be unveiled in his 
10honor; therefore, be it
  
 
11    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL 
12ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the life 
13of Otis J. Neal and honor his service to his country; and be it 
14further
  
 
15    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
16presented to the family of Otis Neal in honor of his service.