[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 113 (Monday, July 16, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S9292]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                COMMENDING THE MINNESOTA NATIONAL GUARD

  Mr. REED. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the 
immediate consideration of S. Con. Res. 41 submitted earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the concurrent 
resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 41) commending the 
     1st Brigade Combat Team/34th Infantry Division of the 
     Minnesota National Guard upon its completion of the longest 
     continuous deployment of any United States military unit 
     during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
concurrent resolution.
  Mr. REED. I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution be 
agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid 
upon the table, and that any statements relating thereto be printed in 
the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 41) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The concurrent resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                            S. Con. Res. 41

       Whereas the 1st Brigade Combat Team/34th Infantry Division 
     of the Minnesota National Guard, known as the Red Bull 
     Division, is headquartered in Bloomington, Minnesota, and is 
     made up of some 3,700 hard-working and courageous Minnesotans 
     and some 1,300 more soldiers from other Midwestern States;
       Whereas the 1st Brigade Combat Team has a long history of 
     service to the United States, beginning with the Civil War;
       Whereas the 1st Brigade Combat Team was most recently 
     mobilized in September 2005 and departed for Iraq in March 
     2006;
       Whereas the 1st Brigade Combat Team recently completed the 
     longest continuous deployment of any United States military 
     unit during Operation Iraqi Freedom;
       Whereas during its deployment, the 1st Brigade Combat Team 
     completed 5,200 combat logistics patrols, secured 2,400,000 
     convoy miles, and discovered 462 improvised explosive devices 
     (IEDs) prior to detonation;
       Whereas the 1st Brigade Combat Team processed over 
     1,500,000 million vehicles and 400,000 Iraqis into entry 
     control points without any insurgent penetrations;
       Whereas the 1st Brigade Combat Team captured over 400 
     suspected insurgents;
       Whereas more than 1,400 members of the 1st Brigade Combat 
     Team reenlisted during deployment and 21 members became 
     United States citizens during deployment;
       Whereas the 1st Brigade Combat Team helped start 2 Iraqi 
     newspapers that provide news to the local population and 
     publish stories on reconstruction progress;
       Whereas the 1st Brigade Combat Team completed 137 
     reconstruction projects;
       Whereas the deployment of the 1st Brigade Combat Team in 
     Iraq was extended by 125 days in January 2007;
       Whereas the 1st Brigade Combat Team and its members are now 
     returning to the United States to loving families and a 
     grateful Nation;
       Whereas the families of the members of the 1st Brigade 
     Combat Team have waited patiently for their loved ones to 
     return and endured many hardships during this lengthy 
     deployment;
       Whereas the employers of the soldiers and family members of 
     the 1st Brigade/34th Infantry Division have displayed 
     patriotism over profit by keeping positions saved for the 
     returning soldiers and supporting the families during the 
     difficult days of this long deployment, and these employers 
     of the soldiers and their families are great corporate 
     citizens through their support of our armed forces and their 
     family members;
       Whereas communities throughout the Midwest are now integral 
     participants in the Minnesota National Guard's extensive 
     Beyond the Yellow Ribbon reintegration program that will help 
     members of the 1st Brigade Combat Team return to normal life; 
     and
       Whereas the 1st Brigade Combat Team/34th Infantry Division 
     has performed admirably and courageously, putting service to 
     country over personal interests and gaining the gratitude and 
     respect of Minnesotans, Midwesterners, and all Americans: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) commends the 1st Brigade Combat Team/34th Infantry 
     Division of the Minnesota National Guard upon its completion 
     of the longest continuous deployment of any United States 
     military unit during Operation Iraqi Freedom;
       (2) recognizes the achievements of the members of the 1st 
     Brigade Combat Team and their exemplary service to the United 
     States; and
       (3) directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit a copy 
     of this resolution to the Adjutant General of the Minnesota 
     National Guard for appropriate display.

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