[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 89 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 89

Expressing support for designation of a ``Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans 
                                 Day''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 30, 2009

   Mr. Burr (for himself, Mrs. Boxer, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Hatch, Mrs. 
    Shaheen, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Roberts, and Mr. Cochran) 
 submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing support for designation of a ``Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans 
                                 Day''.

Whereas the Vietnam War was fought in Vietnam from 1961 to 1975, and involved 
        North Vietnam and the Viet Cong in conflict with United States Armed 
        Forces and South Vietnam;
Whereas the United States became involved in Vietnam because policy-makers in 
        the United States believed that if the Government of South Vietnam fell 
        to a communist government then communism would spread throughout the 
        rest of Southeast Asia;
Whereas members of the United States Armed Forces began serving in an advisory 
        role to the Government of South Vietnam in 1961;
Whereas, as a result of the Gulf of Tonkin incidents on August 2 and 4, 1964, 
        Congress overwhelmingly passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (Public Law 
        88-408), on August 7, 1964, which effectively handed over war-making 
        powers to President Johnson until such time as ``peace and security'' 
        had returned to Vietnam;
Whereas, in 1965, United States Armed Forces ground combat units arrived in 
        Vietnam;
Whereas, by the end of 1965, there were 80,000 United States troops in Vietnam, 
        and by 1969 a peak of approximately 543,000 troops was reached;
Whereas, on January 27, 1973, the Treaty of Paris was signed, which required the 
        release of all United States prisoners-of-war held in North Vietnam and 
        the withdrawal of all United States Armed Forces from South Vietnam;
Whereas, on March 30, 1973, the United States Armed Forces completed the 
        withdrawal of combat troops from Vietnam;
Whereas more than 58,000 members of the United States Armed Forces lost their 
        lives in Vietnam and more than 300,000 members of the Armed Forces were 
        wounded;
Whereas, in 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in the District of 
        Columbia to commemorate those members of the United States Armed Forces 
        who died or were declared missing-in-action in Vietnam;
Whereas the Vietnam War was an extremely divisive issue among the people of the 
        United States;
Whereas members of the United States Armed Forces who served bravely and 
        faithfully for the United States during the Vietnam War were caught upon 
        their return home in the crossfire of public debate about the 
        involvement of the United States in the Vietnam War;
Whereas the establishment of a ``Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day'' would be an 
        appropriate way to honor those members of the United States Armed Forces 
        who served in Vietnam during the Vietnam War; and
Whereas March 30, 2009, would be an appropriate day to establish as ``Welcome 
        Home Vietnam Veterans Day'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) honors and recognizes the contributions of veterans who 
        served in the United States Armed Forces in Vietnam; and
            (2) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
        ``Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day'' with appropriate 
        ceremonies and activities that promote awareness of the 
        contributions of veterans who served in the United States Armed 
        Forces in Vietnam and the importance of helping such veterans 
        readjust to civilian life.
                                 <all>