IV 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 899 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES November 6, 2009 Ms. Shea-Porter (for herself and Mr. Hodes) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services RESOLUTION Honoring the members of the New Hampshire National Guard for their service to the State of New Hampshire and the contributions of the New Hampshire National Guard to the domestic and international missions of the Armed Forces through the patriotic service of its members and its innovative programs and dedication to military families.

Whereas members of the New Hampshire National Guard were first responders to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, and secured New Hampshire National Guard armories, refueled fighter jets patrolling the airspace over major United States cities, and provided security for municipal airports in New Hampshire; Whereas the mobilization of members of the New Hampshire National Guard to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom was the largest call-up for the New Hampshire National Guard since World War II; Whereas in 2004, the New Hampshire Army National Guard had over half of its 1,700 soldiers deployed overseas on 18-month tours; Whereas between 2004 and 2007, more than 1,500 members of the New Hampshire National Guard served on active duty in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo, or other locations around the world; Whereas five members of the New Hampshire National Guard have been killed while serving in Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom, or Operation Iraqi Freedom; Whereas between October 2005 and April 2007, the Governor of New Hampshire activated the New Hampshire National Guard three times to respond to storm-related natural disaster emergencies; Whereas the Governor of New Hampshire activated the New Hampshire National Guard in April 2007 to respond to flooding in local communities and the National Guard provided assistance for evacuation, security, sandbagging, security checkpoints, and communications; Whereas the New Hampshire National Guard provided humanitarian assistance in Louisiana after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita; Whereas the New Hampshire National Guard established the Wing Family Program, to provide family support and assistance to families of deployed members of the 157th Air Refueling Wing; Whereas the New Hampshire National Guard has created a Family Program consisting of coordinated volunteers to assist the families of members who serve and have served; Whereas the New Hampshire National Guard has pioneered child and youth programs, including childcare, financial assistance, summer camps, and special events for the children of members; Whereas the New Hampshire National Guard has established Operation Welcome Home, a State program coordinating multiple State departments, agencies, and volunteers; Whereas the New Hampshire National Guard has established an effective Full Cycle Deployment Support Program that serves as a national model to help members and their families before, during, and after a deployment cycle; and Whereas the members of the New Hampshire National Guard have served with courage, selflessness, and compassion, and have earned the respect and gratitude of New Hampshire citizens and all Americans: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1)recognizes the exemplary service and sacrifice of members of the New Hampshire National Guard; and (2)commends the members of the New Hampshire National Guard and their families for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States.