MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2003 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Little, Browning, Burton, Canon, Carlton, Carmichael, Chamberlin, Chaney, Cuevas, Dawkins, Dearing, Dickerson, Furniss, Gollott, Gordon, Hamilton, Harden, Hewes, Huggins, Hyde-Smith, Johnson (19th), King, Kirby, Lee, Mettetal, Michel, Minor, Moffatt, Nunnelee, Posey, Robertson, Ross, Scoper, Smith, Stogner, Thames, Tollison, Walden, White, Williamson, Farris
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE MEN AND WOMEN FROM THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI IN THE U.S. ARMED FORCES PARTICIPATING IN MILITARY OPERATIONS AGAINST IRAQ AND EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH AND HIS LEADERSHIP.
WHEREAS, events in Iraq have reached the final days of decision, and at the direction of the President of the United States, the Armed Forces of the United States are poised to launch military operations with our allies against Saddam Hussein and his forces in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, among the forces participating in this mobilization under Operation Enduring Freedom are many members of the regular United States Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, Reserves and National Guard who are residents or natives of the State of Mississippi who are being deployed, including 182 female and 2,056 male soldiers in the Mississippi Army and Air National Guard already deployed, with a total number of 3,662 dependents recorded for those deployed; and
WHEREAS, the dictatorship of Iraq has continued to develop weapons of mass destruction in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1441; the dictator, Saddam Hussein, has demonstrated a willingness to use weapons of mass destruction against neighboring nations and the citizens of Iraq. Saddam Hussein threatens the Middle East and the global economy with the threat to use weapons of mass destruction; and
WHEREAS, the United States of America has the sovereign authority to use force in assuring its own national security. Recognizing the threat to our country, the United States Congress voted overwhelmingly last year to support the use of force against Iraq, and that duty falls to President George W. Bush as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces; and
WHEREAS, Mississippians understand the costs of conflict because we have paid them in the past, and we again accept that responsibility. The men and women of the Armed Forces of the United States will be the guardians of civilization as we know it. War has no certainty except the certainty of sacrifice, yet the only way to reduce the harm and duration of war is to apply the full force and might of our military; and
WHEREAS, it is our earnest prayer that the job be done well and swiftly and that the return home to family and friends be safe and soon:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby declare our complete support for and our great pride in the Armed Forces of the United States, particularly the men and women from the State of Mississippi, both in the Middle East and elsewhere, who are participating in and supporting military operations against Saddam Hussein and his forces in Iraq, and we pray for the quick and successful conclusion of their important mission and for their safe and sound return home.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we do hereby express our support of President George W. Bush and the President's cabinet for their courage and decision to remove Saddam Hussein from power.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be sent to the President of the United States, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, Major General James H. Lipscomb III-Mississippi National Guard, the Commanding General-American Military Forces-Operation Enduring Freedom and to members of Mississippi's congressional delegation, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.