[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 41 Referred in House (RFH)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. CON. RES. 41


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 17, 2007

               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 military unit during 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 is made up of some 3,700 hard-working and 
        courageous Minnesotans and some 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 military unit during Operation Iraqi 
        Freedom;
Whereas during its deployment, the 1st Brigade Combat Team completed 5,200 
        combat logistics patrols, secured 2,400,000 convoy miles, and discovered 
        462 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) prior to detonation;
Whereas the 1st Brigade Combat Team processed over 1,500,000 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 2 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 the soldiers and family members of the 1st Brigade/34th 
        Infantry Division 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 
        of the soldiers and their families are great corporate citizens through 
        their support of our 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 Senate (the House of Representatives 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 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 Secretary of the Senate to transmit a copy 
        of this resolution to the Adjutant General of the Minnesota 
        National Guard for appropriate display.

            Passed the Senate July 16, 2007.

            Attest:

                                                NANCY ERICKSON,

                                                             Secretary.