III 112th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 472 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 24, 2012 Mr. Enzi (for himself, Ms. Ayotte, Mr. Blumenthal, and Mr. Begich) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary September 22 (legislative day, September 21), 2012 Committee discharged; considered and agreed to with an amended preamble RESOLUTION Designating October 7, 2012, as Operation Enduring Freedom Veterans Day.

Whereas the initial volley of Operation Enduring Freedom took place in Afghanistan on October 7, 2001, and October 7, 2012, marks the eleventh anniversary of the war; Whereas Operation Enduring Freedom, launched in response to the terrorist attacks committed against the United States on September 11, 2001, targeted al-Qaida and the Taliban protectors of al-Qaida in Afghanistan; Whereas Operation Enduring Freedom is the longest ongoing war in which the United States is involved; Whereas the wounded warriors who have served in Operation Enduring Freedom carry the scars of war, both seen and unseen; Whereas some 2,000 patriots in the United States Armed Forces have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in Afghanistan; Whereas the war in Afghanistan should not fade from the hearts and minds of the people of the United States; and Whereas the ongoing sacrifices made by the men and women of the Armed Forces should be recognized and honored: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)designates October 7, 2012, as Operation Enduring Freedom Veterans Day; (2)honors the brave men and women who gave their lives while serving the United States in Operation Enduring Freedom; and (3)encourages the people of the United States to salute the more than half a million men and women who have served bravely in Afghanistan to preserve our shared security and freedom.