[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 325 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 325

   Resolution honoring the members of the National Guard and Reserve 
                    components of the Armed Forces.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           November 18, 2003

Mr. Kind (for himself, Mr. Taylor of Mississippi, Mr. Upton, Mr. Davis 
   of Florida, Mr. Castle, Mr. Meeks of New York, and Mr. Houghton) 
 submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to 
                    the Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
   Resolution honoring the members of the National Guard and Reserve 
                    components of the Armed Forces.

Whereas the volunteer citizen-soldiers of the National Guard and the Reserves 
        have been vital to the defense of the Nation for over 365 years;
Whereas National Guard and reserve military forces have responded to every major 
        national security threat in the history of the United States, from the 
        Revolutionary War and War of 1812, through World War I, World War II, 
        the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and Operation Desert Storm;
Whereas the National Guard and Selected Reserve have over 800,000 dedicated 
        members;
Whereas the National Guard and Reserves account for only a fraction of the 
        defense budget, but allow the Nation to almost double the size of the 
        Armed Forces, making them an essential part of a total force concept and 
        vital to the national security of the United States;
Whereas since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the operational 
        commitments of the United States Armed Forces, including the National 
        Guard and Reserves, have increased significantly;
Whereas the National Guard and Reserves are fundamental to combating the threat 
        of international terrorism;
Whereas the National Guard and Reserves have a critical role in providing for 
        homeland security;
Whereas the National Guard and Reserves have played a critical role in Operation 
        Nobel Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, 
        including ongoing security and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan and 
        Iraq;
Whereas over 340,000 National Guard and Reserve members have been called to 
        active duty at one time or another since September 11, 2001, with over 
        160,000 serving on active duty as of October 1, 2003;
Whereas the current mobilization represents the largest call-up of National 
        Guard and Reserve members since the Korean War;
Whereas continuing security challenges abroad are requiring many National Guard 
        and Reserve units to remain on active duty beyond the original one-year 
        limit set by the Department of Defense; and
Whereas responding to the needs of their country has required significant 
        sacrifices on the part of the members of the National Guard and 
        Reserves, as well as their families and their employers: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) honors the members of the National Guard and Reserves 
        for their dedication and sacrifice during the current critical 
        time in the Nation's history;
            (2) honors the sacrifices being made by the families of 
        National Guard and Reserve members called to active duty;
            (3) appreciates the commitment and support of employers of 
        activated National Guard and Reserve members; and
            (4) pledges its continued support for the members of the 
        National Guard and Reserves.
                                 <all>