AJR75: Joint Resolution Text

LRB-3672/1

CMH:amn

2019 - 2020 LEGISLATURE

2019 Assembly JOINT RESOLUTION 75

August 12, 2019 - Introduced by Representatives Ohnstad, Kerkman, McGuire and Neubauer, cosponsored by Senators Wanggaard and Wirch. Referred to Committee on Rules.

AJR75,1,3 Relating to: honoring the lives of the individuals involved in the May 3rd explosion and fire at AB Specialty Silicones, as well as their heroic efforts to look out for one another during this devastating event.

AJR75,1,6 Whereas, AB Specialty Silicones is an industrial silicone manufacturing company located in Waukegan, Illinois, with employees from the surrounding area of both northeastern Illinois and southeastern Wisconsin; and

AJR75,1,10 Whereas, on the evening of Friday, May 3, 2019, there was a massive, catastrophic explosion and fire at the facility that resulted in the loss of four lives of those who were working at the plant and caused injuries to both other employees and first responders; and

AJR75,1,12 Whereas, Jeff Cummings, 57, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, was killed in the explosion; and

AJR75,2,2 Whereas, Mr. Cummings is survived by his wife, Denise; son, Dustin; and his granddaughter, Arya, as well as other family members and friends. He was a production supervisor with seven years of experience at the facility, and, according to several accounts, he heroically returned into the plant in the midst of the blasts to attempt to rescue his colleagues who remained inside; and

AJR75,2,4 Whereas, Byron Biehn, 53, of Brighton Township, Wisconsin, passed away in the explosion; and

AJR75,2,9 Whereas, Mr. Biehn is survived by his wife, Dian, and their children Helena, Byron Carl, and Mathias, as well as other family members and friends. He was a production supervisor with nine years of experience with the company, including serving as one of the company's first employees, and he was instrumental to the company's growth; and

AJR75,2,11 Whereas, Allen Stevens, 29, of Salem, Wisconsin, did not survive injuries due to the explosion; and

AJR75,2,14 Whereas, Mr. Stevens is survived by his wife, Jennifer, as well as other family members and friends. He was a chemical operator who had been with the company for the past two years and known for his good humor, intellect, and smile; and

AJR75,2,16 Whereas, Daniel Nicklas, 24, of Beach Park, Illinois, died as a result of the explosion; and

AJR75,2,19 Whereas, Mr. Nicklas is survived by his fiancé, Kyrstan Bower, as well as other family members and friends. He was a quality control chemist and had made a true impact on those around him in his eight months with the company; and

AJR75,2,21 Whereas, our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those involved in this tragedy; now, therefore, be it

AJR75,2,24 Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin Legislature honor the lives of these individuals, as well as their heroic efforts to look out for one another during this devastating event.

AJR75,2,25 (End)