[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 167 (Wednesday, December 21, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S14403]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        THANK OUR DEFENDERS WEEK

  Mr. FRIST. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the 
consideration of S. Res. 343, submitted earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 343) expressing the sense of the 
     Senate that the week of December 19, 2005 shall be designated 
     ``Thank Our Defenders Week.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
  Mr. FRIST. I ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, the 
preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the 
table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 343) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 343

       Whereas, ever since our Nation was founded, the members of 
     our military, soldiers, sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guard 
     personnel, active duty, Guard, and reserve, have played a 
     critical role protecting America's vital interests and 
     spreading peace throughout the world;
       Whereas more than 193,000 troops in the Persian Gulf region 
     are courageously fighting insurgents and helping to establish 
     democracies in Iraq and Afghanistan;
       Whereas 19,000 servicemen and servicewomen are stationed in 
     Afghanistan, fighting Al-Qaeda and providing security for the 
     people of that fledgling nation;
       Whereas over 30,000 troops are protecting American 
     interests and maintaining peace on the Korean peninsula;
       Whereas, in total, nearly 300,000 brave men and women are 
     actively serving on the soil of 120 foreign countries and on 
     the High Seas, fighting terrorists and making sacrifices for 
     American citizens and families; and
       Whereas, thanks to their tireless efforts, a brutal 
     dictatorship in Iraq and an oppressive regime in Afghanistan 
     have given way to emerging democratic societies: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That with gratitude it is the sense of the Senate 
     that the week of December 19, 2005 should be designated 
     ``Thank Our Defenders week.''

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