RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Chief Special Warfare Operator William "Ryan" Owens, a native of Peoria and a member of the elite Navy SEAL Team 6, has lost his life in the global war against terrorism; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, Chief Special Warfare Operator was fatally wounded in a January 28, 2017 raid on an al-Qaida base in Yemen; and
WHEREAS, The firefight left three other United States service members wounded and claimed the lives of fourteen militants; and
WHEREAS, At great risk to his own safety and demonstrating the utmost bravery, Chief Special Warfare Operator William "Ryan" Owens heroically participated in the special operation which struck the terrorist stronghold and resulted in the seizure of valuable intelligence; and
WHEREAS, Chief Special Warfare Operator William "Ryan" Owens joined the Navy in 1998 and received his special warfare training in Coronado, California; and
WHEREAS, Seal Team 6 is the same unit that killed Osama bin Laden in a raid in 2011; and
WHEREAS, Among his many honors, Chief Special Warfare Operator William "Ryan" Owens was a recipient of three Bronze Stars, the Joint Service Commendation and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal; and
WHEREAS, The courage, sacrifice and dedication of Chief Special Warfare Operator William "Ryan" Owens serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, President Donald Trump expressed his sympathy and respect to the loved ones of Chief Special Warfare Operator William "Ryan" Owens by saying, "My deepest thoughts and humblest prayers are with the family of this fallen service member": and
WHEREAS, Secretary of Defense James Mattis issued a statement praising Chief Special Warfare Operator William "Ryan" Owens' service which read, "Ryan gave his full measure for our nation, and in performing his duty, he upheld the noblest standard of military service.
The United States would not long exist if it were not for the selfless commitment of such warriors"; and
WHEREAS, To his beloved family, Chief Special Warfare Operator William "Ryan" Owens imparts a legacy of faithfulness, service and dignity; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this twenty-second day of February, 2017, do hereby commemorate Chief Special Warfare Operator William "Ryan" Owens for his grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to his family; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Chief Special Warfare Operator William "Ryan" Owens.
