74th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2007 Regular Session
 
 
                            Enrolled
 
                     House Joint Memorial 14
 
Sponsored by Representative NELSON; Representative BERGER
 
 
To the President of the United States, the Senate and the House
  of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress
  assembled, and the Secretary of Defense:
  We, your memorialists, the Seventy-fourth Legislative Assembly
of the State of Oregon, in legislative session assembled,
respectfully represent as follows:
  Whereas the use of the National Guard and Reserve over the last
five years has marked the largest sustained call-up of citizen
soldiers since World War II; and
  Whereas the National Guard and Reserve make up more than 40
percent of the nearly 150,000 United States troops in Iraq; and
  Whereas the commitment of the United States throughout the
world has increased substantially over the past several years;
and
  Whereas the Oregon National Guard has committed 70 percent of
its Army National Guard troops to the current conflict in the
Middle East; and
  Whereas the Oregon Air National Guard has mobilized more than
75 percent of its forces for the global war on terror since
September 11, 2001; and
  Whereas the current drain on troop strength and retention of
the most qualified soldiers and airmen is the most significant
issue facing the National Guard and Reserve in the near future;
and
  Whereas the age limit for receipt of retiree pay for National
Guard and Reserve service members was set decades ago when the
National Guard and Reserve were not relied upon to the extent
they are today; and
  Whereas the men and women who serve in the National Guard and
Reserve are the soldiers and airmen who are instrumental in
maintaining our nation's defense; and
  Whereas a strong, well-trained and full-strength militia is
essential for homeland defense missions, and the National Guard
and Reserve play a vital role in disaster relief and recovery
within the state; and
  Whereas the current law states that a retired Reserve member
will begin to draw military retiree pay upon reaching 60 years of
age; and
  Whereas retirement benefits for active duty retirees are far
superior to those for Reserve retirees; now, therefore,
 
Be It Resolved by the Legislative Assembly of the State of
  Oregon:
 
  That we, the members of the Seventy-fourth Legislative
Assembly, respectfully request that the Congress of the United
States, in this 110th Congress, enact a National Guard and
Reserve Retirement Act that provides for National Guard and
Reserve members who attain 30 years of service or 55 years of age
to immediately receive military retiree pay as a full and equal
 
 
Enrolled House Joint Memorial 14 (HJM 14-INTRO)            Page 1
 
 
 
partner within the uniformed services of the United States of
America; and be it further
  Resolved, That a copy of this memorial shall be sent to the
President of the United States, to the Secretary of Defense and
to each member of the Oregon Congressional Delegation.
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                                 Adopted by House April 19, 2007
 
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                                      Chief Clerk of House
 
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                                        Speaker of House
 
 
                                 Adopted by Senate May 18, 2007
 
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                                       President of Senate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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