[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 185 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 185


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 2, 2007

        Received and referred to the Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Commending the 1st Brigade Combat Team/34th Infantry Division of the 
Minnesota National Guard upon its completion of the longest continuous 
    deployment of any United States ground combat military unit in 
                        Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Whereas the 1st Brigade Combat Team/34th Infantry Division of the Minnesota 
        National Guard, known as the Red Bull Division, is headquartered in 
        Bloomington, Minnesota, and deployed approximately 2,700 hard-working 
        and courageous Minnesotans and approximately 1,300 more soldiers from 
        other Midwestern States;
Whereas the 1st Brigade Combat Team has a long history of service to the United 
        States, beginning with the Civil War;
Whereas the 1st Brigade Combat Team was most recently mobilized in September 
        2005 and departed for Iraq in March 2006;
Whereas the 1st Brigade Combat Team recently completed the longest continuous 
        deployment of any United States ground combat military unit during 
        Operation Iraqi Freedom;
Whereas, during its deployment, the 1st Brigade Combat Team completed 5,200 
        combat logistics patrols, secured 2.4 million convoy miles, and 
        discovered 462 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) prior to detonation;
Whereas the 1st Brigade Combat Team processed over 1.5 million vehicles and 
        400,000 Iraqis into entry control points without any insurgent 
        penetrations;
Whereas the 1st Brigade Combat Team captured over 400 suspected insurgents;
Whereas more than 1,400 members of the 1st Brigade Combat Team reenlisted during 
        deployment and 21 members became United States citizens during 
        deployment;
Whereas the 1st Brigade Combat Team helped start two Iraqi newspapers that 
        provide news to the local population and publish stories on 
        reconstruction progress;
Whereas the 1st Brigade Combat Team completed 137 reconstruction projects;
Whereas the deployment of the 1st Brigade Combat Team in Iraq was extended by 
        125 days in January 2007;
Whereas the 1st Brigade Combat Team and its members are now returning to the 
        United States to loving families and a grateful nation;
Whereas the families of the members of the 1st Brigade Combat Team have waited 
        patiently for their loved ones to return and endured many hardships 
        during this lengthy deployment;
Whereas the employers of members and family members of the 1st Brigade Combat 
        Team have displayed patriotism over profit, by keeping positions saved 
        for the returning soldiers and supporting the families during the 
        difficult days of this long deployment, and these employers are great 
        corporate citizens through their support of members of the Armed Forces 
        and their family members;
Whereas communities throughout the Midwest are now integral participants in the 
        Minnesota National Guard's extensive Beyond the Yellow Ribbon 
        reintegration program that will help members of the 1st Brigade Combat 
        Team return to normal life; and
Whereas the 1st Brigade Combat Team/34th Infantry Division has performed 
        admirably and courageously, putting service to country over personal 
        interests and gaining the gratitude and respect of Minnesotans, 
        Midwesterners, and all Americans: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) commends the 1st Brigade Combat Team/34th Infantry 
        Division of the Minnesota National Guard upon its completion of 
        the longest continuous deployment of any United States ground 
        combat military unit during Operation Iraqi Freedom;
            (2) recognizes the achievements of the members of the 1st 
        Brigade Combat Team and their exemplary service to the United 
        States; and
            (3) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to 
        transmit a copy of this resolution to the Adjutant General of 
        the Minnesota National Guard for appropriate display.

            Passed the House of Representatives October 1, 2007.

            Attest:

                                            LORRAINE C. MILLER,

                                                                 Clerk.