SR0129 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0129 LRB096 11744 DRJ 22876 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The war in Afghanistan and the use of the United States Armed Forces was necessary at the time following the attacks on 9/11; and

WHEREAS, Our troops have performed magnificently and heroically in their pursuit of terrorists; and

WHEREAS, United States Armed Forces have helped secure the new government in Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS, The people of the United States have indicated that this war has gone on long enough; and

WHEREAS, Many American service personnel have lost their lives, and many more have been wounded, in Afghanistan, and the American people will always honor their sacrifices and honor their families; and

WHEREAS, Billions of dollars have been appropriated by Congress to fund military operations and reconstruction in Afghanistan, and Illinois residents' share now exceeds $2.1 billion; those funds could be going to much-needed infrastructure, education, and capital programs; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the State of Illinois, on behalf of its citizens, salutes and supports the dedicated service of the members of the United States Armed Forces, including members of the Illinois National Guard; and be it further

RESOLVED, That on behalf of the citizens of Illinois, the Senate believes that it is not in the national interest of the United States to deepen its military involvement in Afghanistan, particularly by escalating the United States military force presence in Afghanistan, that the 17,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan should be recalled from there, and that we should concentrate on capturing Osama bin Laden; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the primary objective of United States strategy in Afghanistan should be to have the Afghani political leaders make the political compromises necessary to end the violence in Afghanistan; and be it further

RESOLVED, That greater concerted regional and international support would assist the Afghanis in achieving a political solution and national reconciliation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the United States should engage nations in the Middle East to develop a regional, internationally sponsored peace and reconciliation process for Afghanistan; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the United States should transfer, under an appropriately expedited timeline, responsibility for internal security and halting sectarian violence in Afghanistan to the Government of Afghanistan and Afghani Security Forces from American military personnel; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration must provide the highest quality of care to our American heroes wounded and injured in Afghanistan; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution shall be sent to President Barack Obama, the members of the Illinois Congressional delegation, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, the President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate, and the Minority Leader of the United States Senate.