74th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2007 Regular Session
 
NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
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 LC 3820
 
                        Senate Memorial 1
 
Sponsored by COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
 
 
                             SUMMARY
 
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure as
introduced.
 
  Expresses appreciation for Congress' efforts to encourage
significant transition in Iraq. Urges Congress to oppose
escalation of United States forces in Iraq. Expresses continued
support for United States forces.
 
                         SENATE MEMORIAL
To the President of the United States and the Senate and the
  House of Representatives of the United States of America, in
  Congress assembled:
  We, your memorialists, the Senate of the State of Oregon, in
legislative session assembled, respectfully represent as follows:
  Whereas the Oregon Senate and the residents of the State of
Oregon strongly support the men and women valiantly serving in
the United States Armed Forces in Iraq, Afghanistan and all other
theaters around the world, and support a successful conclusion to
their missions; and
  Whereas members of the United States Armed Forces who are
serving or have served in Iraq and Afghanistan and their families
deserve the utmost respect and heartfelt gratitude for their
unwavering devotion to duty, service to the nation and selfless
sacrifice under the most difficult circumstances; and
  Whereas the Oregon Senate and the residents of the State of
Oregon recognize, appreciate and are forever thankful for the
sacrifices that all of our Oregon and other American troops and
their families have made, especially the troops who have given
their lives or been wounded to protect our freedoms; and
  Whereas at least 3,661 American military personnel, including
83 from Oregon, have given their lives since October 2001 in the
hostilities in Iraq and Afghanistan, over 25,800 have been
wounded and tens of thousands have returned home with significant
physical and mental health care needs; and
  Whereas the unknown timeline of the war in Iraq has stretched
thin our National Guard and Reserves, including the approximately
8,400 members of the Oregon National Guard, resulting in 7,350
mobilization orders since 2001 and consequently reducing the
readiness level of our National Guard to fully meet its missions,
including responding to natural disasters and terrorism and
protecting us at home; and
  Whereas current and former military and foreign policy leaders
and members of Congress have expressed opposition in a bipartisan
 
manner to an increase in the American military presence in Iraq;
and
  Whereas in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2006, Congress stated that 'calendar year 2006 should be a
period of significant transition to full Iraqi sovereignty, with
Iraqi security forces taking the lead for the security of a free
and sovereign Iraq, thereby creating the conditions for the
phased redeployment of United States forces from Iraq'; and
  Whereas earlier this year, the administration decided to deploy
approximately 29,000 additional United States combat forces to
Iraq, supplementing the 150,000 troops already in the field; now,
therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Oregon:
  (1) The Oregon Senate appreciates the efforts of the last
Congress, which voted in a bipartisan fashion to encourage
significant transition in Iraq.
  (2) The Oregon Senate urges the current Congress to exercise
its appropriate constitutional authority to oppose the
administration's escalation of United States forces in Iraq, and
to move the United States toward a phased redeployment of United
States forces out of Iraq with a responsible transition to Iraqi
control of Iraq's security and of the personnel and resources
necessary to achieve stability in Iraq.
  (3) The Oregon Senate calls on the administration and Congress
to fully fund all benefits for veterans and their families and to
appropriately care for our brave men and women when they return
from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and from other combat.
  (4) The Oregon Senate and the American people will continue to
support and protect the members of the United States Armed Forces
and the Oregon National Guard who are serving or who have served
bravely and honorably in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.
  (5) A copy of this memorial shall be sent to the President of
the United States, to the Senate Majority Leader, to the Speaker
of the House of Representatives and to each member of the Oregon
Congressional Delegation.
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