[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 94 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. J. RES. 94

 Recognizing the 20th anniversary of the outbreak of the Gulf War and 
   reaffirming the commitment of the United States towards Gulf War 
                               veterans.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 22, 2010

 Mr. Michaud (for himself, Mr. Ryan of Ohio, Mr. Critz, Mr. Kratovil, 
Mr. Inglis, Mr. Rogers of Alabama, Mr. Teague, Mr. Lipinski, Mr. Murphy 
 of New York, Ms. Bordallo, Mr. Filner, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina, 
 Mr. Bartlett, Ms. Shea-Porter, Mr. Taylor, Ms. Pingree of Maine, Ms. 
    Sutton, Mr. Nye, Mr. Kissell, and Ms. Giffords) introduced the 
  following joint resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
 Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services 
 and Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by 
the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 
           within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                            JOINT RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing the 20th anniversary of the outbreak of the Gulf War and 
   reaffirming the commitment of the United States towards Gulf War 
                               veterans.

Whereas, on August 2, 1990, Iraq bombed and invaded the Republic of Kuwait, 
        thereby initiating the Gulf War;
Whereas, on January 12, 1991, the United States Congress authorized the United 
        States Armed Forces to help the Republic of Kuwait defend itself against 
        the Iraqi invasion;
Whereas United States and Coalition air forces under United States Central 
        Command Air Forces opened Operation Desert Storm with an air campaign on 
        January 17, 1991, that eventually flew over 100,000 sorties and 
        delivered over 88,000 tons of largely precision munitions against enemy 
        infrastructure;
Whereas, on January 31, 1991, the United States Marine Corps drove back Iraqi 
        forces in the city of Khafji, in Saudi Arabia, supported by Saudi and 
        Qatari forces;
Whereas, on February 23, 1991, the 1st Marine Division, 2nd Marine Division, and 
        the 1st Light Armored Infantry crossed into Kuwait and paved the way for 
        Kuwaiti forces to recapture Kuwait City on February 26, 1991;
Whereas, on February 24, 1991, operating with allied French and British forces, 
        heavy armored elements of the United States Army VII Corps thrust 
        through enemy defenses west of Kuwait City, and the United States XVIII 
        Airborne Corps, spearheaded by the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment and the 
        24th Infantry Division (Mechanized), executed a rapid flanking maneuver 
        farther west through weakly held Iraqi territory and encircled enemy 
        forces there;
Whereas the hostilities ended in a cease-fire declared by President George Bush 
        on February 28, 1991, 100 hours after the ground campaign began;
Whereas during the Gulf War, approximately 694,550 members of the United States 
        Armed Forces served in-theater, along with the forces of the Republic of 
        Kuwait and 30 other member states of the United Nations, to defend 
        freedom and democracy;
Whereas casualties of the United States during the Gulf War included 383 dead 
        (of whom 148 were battle deaths), and more than 467 wounded;
Whereas approximately 2,225,000 American men and women served worldwide in the 
        Armed Forces during the entire Gulf War era of August 2, 1990, to 
        February 28, 1991;
Whereas approximately 174,000 veterans suffer from Gulf War veterans' illnesses, 
        including Gulf War Syndrome;
Whereas Congress applauds the Institute of Medicine's Report on Gulf War and 
        Health, released on April 9, 2010, fully supports the Department of 
        Veterans Affairs task force to identify recommendations from that report 
        to better identify and treat Gulf War veterans' illnesses, including 
        Gulf War Syndrome, and reaffirms the commitment of the United States to 
        ensure that all Gulf War veterans suffering from these illnesses are 
        appropriately treated and compensated;
Whereas the Republic of Kuwait is a strong ally of the United States, having 
        contributed troops in support of United States operations during the 
        Gulf War, and providing the main platform of support for operations in 
        Operation Iraqi Freedom, while also supporting numerous United Nations 
        peacekeeping missions throughout the world;
Whereas since the end of the Gulf War era, an average of more than 2,000 members 
        of the United States Armed Forces have served annually in Kuwait to 
        defend the Republic of Kuwait against external aggression, and to 
        promote regional peace; and
Whereas beginning in August 2010, various ceremonies are being planned in the 
        United States to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the outbreak of the 
        Gulf War and to honor all Gulf War veterans: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That Congress--
            (1) recognizes the historical importance of the 20th 
        anniversary of the outbreak of the Gulf War, which began on 
        August 2, 1990;
            (2) honors the noble service and sacrifice of the United 
        States Armed Forces and the armed forces of allied countries 
        that served in the Persian Gulf since 1990 to the present;
            (3) encourages all Americans to participate in 
        commemorative activities to pay solemn tribute to, and to never 
        forget, the veterans of the Gulf War;
            (4) calls upon the President to issue a proclamation 
        recognizing the 20th anniversary of the Gulf War; and
            (5) reaffirms the commitment of the United States to its 
        alliance with the Republic of Kuwait for the betterment of 
        peace and prosperity in the Persian Gulf region.
                                 <all>