HR0288

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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The Department of Homeland Security's Office of 
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Intelligence and Analysis released a report titled "Rightwing 
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Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling 
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Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment"; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The report suggests that acts of violence could 
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come from unnamed "rightwing extremists" concerned about 
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illegal immigration, abortion, increasing federal power, and 
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restrictions on firearms; the report singles out returning war 
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veterans as susceptible to recruitment; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The Department of Homeland Security assessed that 
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right-wing extremists will attempt to recruit and radicalize 
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returning veterans in order to exploit their skills and 
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knowledge derived from military training and combat; and
 
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    WHEREAS, The report says that veterans are of particular 
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interest among radicals, who would seek to recruit returning 
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troops with "combat skills and experience" so as to boost their 
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"violent capabilities"; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Pete Hegseth, chairman of Vets for Freedom and an 
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Army veteran who served in Iraq, said the report represents a 
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"gross misunderstanding and oversimplification [and] it's 
 


 






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amazing they would single out veterans as a threat to this 
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country"; he also said that "It underscores a pervasive belief 
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that some are trying to spread that veterans are victims and 
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we're coming home as damaged goods that need to be coddled 
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instead of celebrated."; and

 
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    WHEREAS, American veterans have answered the call of duty 
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and served our country when it needed them; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Veterans have risked their lives protecting our 
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freedom; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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urge Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the Department of Homeland 
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Security, to apologize to all veterans for alleging that those 
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who serve our country are one of the greatest risks of 
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extremism; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That we urge Janet Napolitano to step down and 
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resign as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security in 
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recognition of her actions; and be it further
 
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    RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to 
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Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the Department of Homeland 
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Security.