House Resolution 121

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING EMPLOYER SUPPORT OF THE NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE FOR ITS INCREASED ROLE IN PROTECTING THE NATIONAL SECURITY OF THE UNITED STATES.

WHEREAS, during the past quarter century, under the Total Force concept, the members of the National Guard and Reserve have played an increasingly important role in protecting the national security of the United States having to leave their places of employment in the furtherance of freedom; and

WHEREAS, members of the National Guard and Reserve, including the Army National Guard, Air National Guard, Army Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and Coast Guard Reserve, engage in rigorous training, utilizing the most modern weapons systems, so as to be able to augment active duty forces in defending the United States of America in times of national emergency; and

WHEREAS, members of the National Guard and Reserve, both in volunteer and in a mobilized status, have been called to active duty to help protect the nation from further terrorist attacks; and

WHEREAS, in order to carry out their military duties in an effective fashion, members of the National Guard and Reserve require the support and understanding of their civilian employers and must know that their civilian jobs will still be available when their military duty obligations have been completed; and

WHEREAS, Congress has passed the Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act to protect the civilian employment rights of National Guard and Reserve personnel; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a component entity of the United States Department of Defense, plays a significant role in educating employers concerning the requirements of the Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act and encouraging civilian employers to support their employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Committee for Employer Support of the Guard is chaired by Thomas H. Bowen, Jr., and is comprised of volunteer members, many of whom are business and professional persons with military backgrounds; and

WHEREAS, the people of Mississippi recognize the noteworthy contributions made by the Mississippi Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve in creating an environment in which Mississippi employers support their employees, who are National Guard and Reserve personnel, and further commend the members of the committee for their dedicated efforts:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and lend our strong support to American military personnel, including members of the National Guard and Reserve, who are helping defend the United States against terrorism and other threats.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Adjutant General, Major General Harold Cross, to be distributed to National Guard and Reserve unit headquarters in the state and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.