IV 112th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 720 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 29, 2012 Mr. Loebsack (for himself and Mr. Schilling) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services RESOLUTION Recognizing the 150th anniversary of the Rock Island Arsenal and the men and women who currently and have previously worked on Arsenal Island.

Whereas the island on which Rock Island Arsenal is located was first identified as a Federal military reservation by an Act of Congress in 1809; Whereas in 1852, Quartermaster-General Thomas Jesup wrote to Secretary of War Charles M. Conrad that the site of Fort Armstrong, Rock Island, was one of the most valuable in our western country for an armory; Whereas in 1861— (1)leading citizens of Davenport, Iowa; Rock Island, Illinois; and Moline, Illinois, presented the Congress with a pamphlet arguing for placement of an arsenal and armory on the island; and (2)the Iowa Legislature urged the Congress to establish an arsenal on the island; Whereas a national arsenal was first established on the island on July 11, 1862, under an Act signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln; Whereas the Chief of Ordnance ordered Rock Island Arsenal to begin manufacturing infantry and cavalry equipment on July 19, 1875; Whereas, on March 10, 1899, the Congress passed an Act establishing a small arms manufacturing center at Rock Island Arsenal; Whereas, on March 22, 1903, Rock Island Arsenal workers formed Local 81 of the International Association of Machinists and are today represented by the American Federation of Government Employees; Whereas in 1923, Rock Island Arsenal became one of the first locations in the United States to develop an effective method of welding aluminum; Whereas in 1931, Rock Island Arsenal constructed the first half-track combat vehicle based on a General Motors truck; Whereas Rock Island Arsenal manufactured the prototype for the lightweight 105mm Howitzer in 1961; Whereas in 1969, Rock Island Arsenal was placed on the National Register of Historic Places; Whereas since 2004, the Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center has fielded over 45,000 add-on-armor kits for 6 different platforms and over 15 variants to support deployed servicemembers; Whereas, on June 16, 2008, Rock Island Arsenal completed the 1,000th Forward Repair System; Whereas today Rock Island Arsenal is home to more than 70 tenants representing diverse areas within the United States Army, the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, and the private sector; Whereas today, Rock Island Arsenal is— (1)the Nation’s largest Government-owned and Government-operated arsenal; (2)the United States Army’s only remaining foundry; (3)the only multi-purpose and vertically integrated metal manufacturer in the Department of Defense; and (4)home to the United States Army’s only titanium furnace; Whereas over its 150 years of service as an arsenal, the Rock Island Arsenal has supported United States military personnel around the world; Whereas, throughout its history, the men and women employed at Rock Island Arsenal have demonstrated tremendous dedication to our men and women in uniform by producing the equipment our Nation’s deployed servicemembers require to safely carry out their mission; Whereas over the 150 years since its establishment, the Rock Island Arsenal has substantially impacted the economy, growth, culture, and vibrancy of the Quad Cities; Whereas the bi-state support in Iowa and Illinois for Rock Island Arsenal demonstrated since before its founding continues today; Whereas the Rock Island Arsenal continues to provide critical Government-owned, Government-operated manufacturing capabilities for the United States Army and Department of Defense; Whereas the Rock Island Arsenal continues to be a centerpiece of the Quad Cities economy by— (1)boosting job creation and economic development throughout the bi-state region in Iowa and Illinois; and (2)supporting and enhancing advanced manufacturing capabilities in the region through public-private partnerships; and Whereas the manufacturing capabilities and experienced workforce at Rock Island Arsenal will continue to be critical to our national defense and readiness of the United States Army to respond to a national security emergency: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1)recognizes the 150th anniversary of the Rock Island Arsenal; (2)honors the critical role Rock Island Arsenal and its workforce have played in our national defense and in equipping our men and women in uniform throughout its 150-year history; (3)recognizes the ongoing importance of maintaining and enhancing the Government-owned and Government-operated manufacturing capabilities provided by Rock Island Arsenal to the United States Army and to our national defense; (4)appreciates the active role Rock Island Arsenal has played in job creation, economic development, and support of advanced manufacturing capabilities in the Quad Cities and in the region throughout its history; and (5)encourages the people of the United States to commemorate and honor the role and contribution of Rock Island Arsenal to our national defense and to our men and women in uniform on the occasion of its 150th anniversary.