[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 152 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 152

 Expressing the appreciation of the Nation to the members of the Armed 
   Forces serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring 
   Freedom and encouraging communities across the Nation to prepare 
 appropriate homecoming ceremonies to welcome the members of the Armed 
     Forces returning from those operations and to recognize their 
contributions to homeland security and expansion of freedoms around the 
   globe and to prepare days of remembrance to commemorate the brave 
 service and selfless sacrifice of the members of the Armed Forces who 
                             do not return.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 11, 2003

  Mr. Cunningham (for himself and Ms. Harman) submitted the following 
  concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed 
                                Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the appreciation of the Nation to the members of the Armed 
   Forces serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring 
   Freedom and encouraging communities across the Nation to prepare 
 appropriate homecoming ceremonies to welcome the members of the Armed 
     Forces returning from those operations and to recognize their 
contributions to homeland security and expansion of freedoms around the 
   globe and to prepare days of remembrance to commemorate the brave 
 service and selfless sacrifice of the members of the Armed Forces who 
                             do not return.

Whereas support in the United States and territories for the United States 
        forces overseas who are engaged in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation 
        Enduring Freedom is critical for the positive morale of those engaged in 
        the war effort;
Whereas more than 380,000 members of the United States Armed Forces, a total 
        force comprised of active component forces, National Guard personnel, 
        and Reserve personnel, are deployed thousands of miles from home as part 
        of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom;
Whereas many Guard and Reserve members were required to take indefinite leave 
        from places of employment and all servicemembers, active and reserve 
        component, have left loved ones behind;
Whereas in the execution of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring 
        Freedom, the Armed Forces have suffered a number of casualties, 
        including deaths, injuries, and capture of a number of United States 
        servicemembers who are held as prisoners-of-war;
Whereas following their deployment for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation 
        Enduring Freedom and related activations, Reservists and National Guard 
        personnel will return to their hometowns to continue their civilian 
        roles and the active forces will continue their mission to defend the 
        United States;
Whereas following victory and the successful completion of their mission, the 
        Nation has traditionally welcomed returning members of the Armed Forces 
        home with appropriate homecoming ceremonies;
Whereas servicemembers returning home from service in Southeast Asia during the 
        Vietnam conflict were in many cases not welcomed home and the Nation is 
        committed not to repeat that mistake; and
Whereas the Nation has also recognized the service and sacrifice of those 
        members of the Armed Forces who were killed or missing-in-action with 
        appropriate tributes and days of remembrance: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
            (1) expresses the appreciation of the Nation to the members 
        of the Armed Forces serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and 
        Operation Enduring Freedom; and
            (2) calls upon communities across the Nation--
                    (A) to prepare appropriate homecoming ceremonies to 
                honor and welcome home the members of the Armed Forces 
                participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation 
                Enduring Freedom upon their return from service in the 
                theater of war and to recognize their contributions to 
                homeland security and expansion of freedoms around the 
                globe; and
                    (B) to prepare appropriate ceremonies to 
                commemorate with tributes and days of remembrance the 
                service and sacrifice of those servicemembers killed or 
                missing-in-action.
                                 <all>