Senate Passes Durbin's Bipartisan Resolution Honoring The Four American Service Members Who Died In Lithuania
The resolution recognizes the soldiers’ service and sacrifice to our nation and NATO allies
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Baltic Freedom Caucus, today commended the unanimous Senate passage of his bipartisan resolution honoring the four American soldiers—including one Illinoisan—who were stationed in Lithuania and tragically died in March while on a mission to recover a vehicle immobilized during a training exercise. The soldiers include Staff Sergeant Jose Dueñez Jr. from Joliet, Illinois; Staff Sergeant Edvin F. Franco; Staff Sergeant Troy S. Knutson-Collins; and Private First-Class Dante D. Taitano—all part of the 1st Armored Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division.
“Last night, the Senate honored the brave American service members, including Staff Sergeant Jose Dueñez Jr. from Joliet, Illinois, who tragically died during a mission in Lithuania earlier this year. It was a mission fraught with extreme danger and challenges, and this resolution reminds us of the daily service and sacrifice of our military members,” Durbin said. “The resolution also expresses our gratitude to our Lithuanian ally—who dropped everything and faced great odds to help us recover their bodies and bring these fallen soldiers home—a reminder of the common defense underlying our alliance.”
On April 3, thousands of Lithuanians took to the streets in Vilnius—including the Lithuanian President—to pay their respects to our fallen American soldiers. The resolution also reaffirms the importance of the NATO alliance and the need to support our Baltic allies.
Durbin spoke about the four American soldiers and his resolution on the Senate floor last month.
Text of the resolution can be found here.
Joining Durbin in sponsoring the resolution are U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Chris Coons (D-DE), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), and Alex Padilla (D-CA).
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