MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2003 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) White, Michel, Johnson (19th), Gollott, Nunnelee, Moffatt, King, Chaney, Gordon, Stogner, Ross, Kirby, Dickerson, Carlton, Browning, Lee, Carmichael, Burton, Minor, Mettetal, Scoper, Hewes, Harvey, Farris, Cuevas, Huggins, Little, Walls, Walden, Furniss, Canon
A RESOLUTION REQUESTING CONGRESS TO GIVE FIRST PRIORITY TO SUPPORT AND PASS THE DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS BILL FIRST.
WHEREAS, the national security of the American nation and people is the first and foremost obligation of the national government; and
WHEREAS, the men and women of our Armed Forces of the United States now serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines, National Guard and Reserves have shown great courage and self-sacrifice and deserve to be equipped with the best weapons and resources to protect our nation; and
WHEREAS, in past years politicians have delayed passing the defense appropriations bill until late in the budget year so that the defense appropriations bill was misused as a dumping ground for pork barrel spending and as a political hostage to pork barrel spending in other appropriations bills; and
WHEREAS, in the wake of the terrorist attacks on America of September 11, 2001, President Bush asked that Congress pass and enact the defense appropriations bill before other spending bills; and
WHEREAS, Congress acted responsibly in the Spring of 2002 and passed the defense appropriations bill first, protecting our men and women under arms from becoming political pawns for politicians' spending games:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we hereby commend Congress for its precedent-setting decision to make our nation's defense their first priority in 2002 and request that the Representatives and Senators from our state continue this important tradition by passing and enacting the defense appropriations legislation before all other spending bills in 2003 and in the future.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be furnished to the members of the Mississippi congressional delegation.