House Concurrent Resolution 2

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING PRESIDENT TRUMP TO PERMANENTLY CANCEL HIS MILITARY PARADE AND USE THE MONEY TO HELP OUR MILITARY VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

WHEREAS, in February 2018, President Donald J. Trump proclaimed that a military parade in Washington would be "great for the spirit of the country," but also stated that the parade would need to come at a "reasonable cost"; and

WHEREAS, the military parade, originally scheduled for November 10, 2018, was being planned by the Department of Defense and the White House to honor America's military veterans and commemorate the centennial of World War I; and

WHEREAS, despite efforts to keep the parade costs "reasonable," reports state that the parade could cost tens of millions of dollars more than originally expected, with an official within the White House stating that the parade could cost $92 million in order to meet President Trump's expectations; and

WHEREAS, the American Legion has stated that the money could be better spent in other ways, with American Legion national commander Denise Rohan stating, "The American Legion appreciates that our President wants to show in a dramatic fashion our nation's support for our troops. However, until such time as we can celebrate victory in the War on Terrorism and bring our military home, we think the parade money would be better spent fully funding the Department of Veterans Affairs and giving our troops and their families the best care possible."; and

WHEREAS, while the parade has been postponed until 2019, the Mississippi Legislature urges President Trump to call it off permanently, and as the American Legion suggested, spend the money on "fully funding the Department of Veterans Affairs and giving our troops and their families the best care possible":

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby urge President Donald J. Trump to permanently cancel his military parade scheduled for 2019 and use the parade money to fund the Department of Veterans Affairs and provide the best care for our troops and their families.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to President Donald J. Trump, to the members of the Congress of the United States, to the members of the Mississippi Legislature and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.