House members pledge support to departing soldier
<p class="BODY" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Imperial">In a hushed Illinois House chamber Wednesday, colleagues wished Rep. Jim Watson, R-Jacksonville, a safe return from his upcoming nine-month deployment to Iraq.</font>
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<p class="BODY" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Imperial">"Jim is going to Iraq for one reason - because America is there, and there's a job to be done," said Rep. Ron Stephens, R-Greenville.</font>
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<p class="BODY" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Imperial">Rep. Kevin Joyce, D-Chicago, said he brought up Watson's name at his Catholic parish on Chicago's South Side, where 3,000 people attended a special service Saturday for military personnel serving or going overseas. </font>
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<p class="BODY" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Imperial">"I truly believe in the bottom of my heart that those boys and girls from St. Cajetan's have a better chance of coming home safe because you will be there," Joyce told Watson.</font>
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<p class="BODY" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Imperial">Wednesday's debate was unusual in that, while it lasted a half hour, House members remained standing throughout.</font>
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<p class="BODY" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Imperial">"I'm humbled by your words and by your kindness," Watson said, adding that he believes words he has seen on a bumper sticker: "It can't always be someone else's son."</font>
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<p class="BODY" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Imperial">Watson, 42, the father of three, is a Gulf War veteran who re-enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves as a staff sergeant in May. After going to Camp Pendleton, Calif., later this month, he is expected to be sent to Fallujah, Iraq, in February. He expects to work on improving government structures and tribal relations.</font>
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<p class="BODY" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Imperial">About a dozen lawmakers - mostly fellow Republicans - appeared earlier at a news conference with Watson, pledging to work with his constituents while he's gone.</font>
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<p class="BODY" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Imperial">Watson's offices will stay open and still may be contacted. Rep. Ron Stephens, R-Greenville, said he already plans office hours in Watson's 97th House District.</font>
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<p class="BODY" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Imperial">Watson's Jacksonville office, at 220 W. State St., is staffed by Ben Jackson and can be called at 243-6221. His Springfield office, in Room 200 4N of the Stratton Building, is staffed by J.B. Meier, and the number is 782-1840.</font>
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<p class="BODY" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Imperial">Sen. Deanna Demuzio, D-Carlinville, gave Watson a hug as she pledged to help his area in his absence. Watson's House district is within Demuzio's Senate district.</font>
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<p class="BODY" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Imperial">Rep. Gary Hannig, D-Litchfield, whose territory includes the other half of Demuzio's district, also promised support as he spoke on the House floor.</font>
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<p class="BODY" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Imperial">Bernard Schoenburg can be reached at (217) 788-1540.</font>