IV 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 904 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES November 16, 2009 Ms. Loretta Sanchez of California (for herself, Mrs. Davis of California, Mr. Larsen of Washington, Ms. Bordallo, Ms. Shea-Porter, Mr. Abercrombie, Ms. Pingree of Maine, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mr. Heinrich, Ms. Tsongas, Ms. Giffords, and Mr. Massa) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services RESOLUTION Honoring women who have served and women who are currently serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom as members of the Armed Forces and recognizing their increasing and invaluable role to the success of current military operations.

Whereas 225,349 women have served in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom as members of the United States Armed Forces; Whereas 29,538 female members of the Armed Forces are currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan; Whereas women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan are not excluded from frontline duties; Whereas 120 female members of the Armed Forces have been killed in Iraq or Afghanistan, and, of the women killed, 66 were killed in combat; Whereas 1,357 female members of the Armed Forces have been wounded in action, and, of the women wounded, 646 were wounded in hostile action; Whereas the nature of war has changed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and, despite the prohibition on female members of the Armed Forces serving in combat, so has the role of female members of the Armed Forces; Whereas women routinely serve in support units, but women are increasingly attached to combat units and engaging in frontline roles potentially sacrificing their lives everyday; and Whereas it is imperative that female members of the Armed Forces receive adequate combat training to enhance their safety: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1)honors women who have served and women who are currently serving as members of the Armed Forces; (2)commends female members of the Armed Forces who are currently serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere around the world protecting the United States and fighting against terrorism; (3)recognizes that female members of the Armed Forces are making history everyday as they fight beside male members of the Armed Forces and are an integral and invaluable part of the Armed Forces; (4)urges the Secretary of Defense to ensure that female members of the Armed Forces receive adequate combat training to prepare them for the nature of the current wars and their role in those wars; and (5)recognizes that the United States must continue to encourage and support female members of the Armed Forces as they fight for and defend the United States.