[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 159 (Wednesday, September 15, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S6528]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 15--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS THAT 
 THE WITHDRAWAL OF ARMED FORCES FROM AFGHANISTAN DOES NOT UNDERMINE OR 
DIMINISH THE SACRIFICE, EFFORTS, AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE MEMBERS OF 
    THE ARMED FORCES, DIPLOMATS, HUMANITARIANS, ALLIES, AND PARTNERS

  Ms. ERNST (for herself, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Hoeven, Mr. Cramer, Mr. 
Marshall, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Wicker, Mrs. Hyde-Smith, Mr. Daines, Mr. 
Scott of Florida, Mrs. Capito, Mr. Kennedy, and Mr. Rubio) submitted 
the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Foreign Relations:

                            S. Con. Res. 15

       Whereas the United States was viciously attacked by the 
     murderous terrorist group al-Qaida on September 11, 2001;
       Whereas al-Qaida was based in Afghanistan, which was 
     governed by the ruthless and oppressive Taliban regime;
       Whereas the United States led an international coalition of 
     military forces into Afghanistan--
       (1) to destroy al-Qaida;
       (2) to kill or capture Osama bin Laden; and
       (3) to depose the Taliban government;
       Whereas hundreds of thousands of members of the Armed 
     Forces, diplomats, and humanitarians deployed to Afghanistan 
     or supported operations from afar;
       Whereas for nearly 2 decades, the United States was spared 
     from further major attacks by international terror 
     organizations; and
       Whereas the withdrawal of the presence of the United States 
     in Afghanistan led to--
       (1) the collapse of the Afghan government;
       (2) the return of the Taliban to Afghan rule; and
       (3) great heartache for so many: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) the men and women who undertook the efforts of the past 
     years in Afghanistan provided heroic service to the country;
       (2) the peace the United States experienced is a direct 
     result of the actions of the brave members of the Armed 
     Forces, diplomats, and humanitarians;
       (3) despite the chaotic end to operations in Afghanistan, 
     the service of the members of the Armed Forces is something 
     to be remembered, lauded, and honored; and
       (4) any veterans who feel stress, anger, or disappointment 
     from the end of operations in Afghanistan should seek 
     available resources and the comfort, guidance, and counsel of 
     friends, mentors, and caregivers.

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