III 111th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 330 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 2, 2009 Mr. Casey (for himself and Mr. Specter) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services RESOLUTION Commending the service of the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.

Whereas the members of the Army National Guard and Air National Guard of the State of Pennsylvania reside throughout the State and come from a number of different backgrounds, professions, and communities; Whereas members and units of the Pennsylvania National Guard have been deployed in support of United States military operations at home and in Iraq, Afghanistan, and dozens of other countries; Whereas one such unit, the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, is composed of approximately 4,000 citizen-soldiers from throughout the State of Pennsylvania; Whereas the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team is the only National Guard Stryker Brigade serving in the United States Army; Whereas the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, following mobilization and deployment to Kosovo in 2003, was placed on Federal active duty for a second overseas mobilization on September 19, 2008, and deployed to Iraq on January 15, 2009; Whereas during the deployment of the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team in Taji, Iraq, the brigade was primarily engaged in convoy security, force protection, provincial reconstruction, and base operations missions; Whereas the members of the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team performed more than 800 combined operations, captured 7 brigade-level high-value targets, and discovered more than 80 enemy weapon caches; and Whereas in September 2009, upon completion of 1 year of service in support of military operations in Iraq, the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team returned to the United States and demobilized: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)expresses its gratitude to the members of the Army National Guard and Air National Guard of the State of Pennsylvania and their families for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States; (2)commends the members of the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard on the completion of their deployment to Iraq; (3)recognizes the achievements of the members of the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, as well as all other formerly and presently deployed Pennsylvania Army National Guard and Air National Guard units and members, for their exemplary service; and (4)offers its condolences to the family and friends of Specialist Chad Edmundson of Williamsburg, Pennsylvania, and Staff Sergeant Mark Baum of Quakertown, Pennsylvania, who died in service to their country.