093_HR0043 LRB093 09457 KEF 09692 r 1 HOUSE RESOLUTION 2 WHEREAS, On September 11, 2001 the United States of 3 America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by terrorists 4 who hijacked and crashed two airliners into the World Trade 5 Center in New York City, one airliner into the Pentagon in 6 Arlington, Virginia, and one airliner just outside of 7 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and 8 WHEREAS, The terrorist attacks took the lives of more 9 than 3,000 passengers, flight attendants, pilots, office 10 workers, bystanders, and rescuers burned or buried under tons 11 of rubble or trapped on the hijacked planes; and 12 WHEREAS, The United States of America thereby began a war 13 on terrorism to hunt down and punish those responsible for 14 the terrorist attacks, and in the process liberated an 15 oppressed people living under the rule of the Taliban in 16 Afghanistan; and 17 WHEREAS, The men and women of our armed forces, active, 18 reserve and National Guard, have proven by their outstanding 19 performance of duty in Afghanistan and other places such as 20 Panama, the Persian Gulf, Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, Kosovo, and 21 other locations while accomplishing a wide variety of 22 missions from war fighting to disaster relief, that military 23 service is unique and provides a critical service to our 24 nation; and 25 WHEREAS, More than 5,000 Illinois soldiers are serving in 26 support of Operation Enduring Freedom as part of our nation's 27 war on terrorism, in support of a potential war against Iraq, 28 and for other engagements abroad, performing their duties 29 with courage and great distinction; and 30 WHEREAS, The State of Illinois recognizes the continued 31 dedicated service of these men and women who serve the State -2- LRB093 09457 KEF 09692 r 1 and the nation by protecting the lives and property of their 2 families, friends, and neighbors; and 3 WHEREAS, The State of Illinois recognizes with profound 4 gratitude the alliance of the nations of Great Britain, 5 Australia, Italy, Spain, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, 6 Portugal, Denmark, and other nations that have offered active 7 support to the United States at this time; therefore, be it 8 RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 9 NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 10 we honor the brave and selfless men and women of all 11 components of the United States and allied armed forces for 12 their great personal sacrifice, for their dedication to our 13 State and country, for their defense of our freedom and 14 security, and for their willingness to answer the call to 15 duty during this time of danger to our country; and be it 16 further 17 RESOLVED, That we pay especial honor to the men and women 18 on active service from Illinois, as they undertake their 19 perilous missions; and be it further 20 RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be 21 presented to the President of the United States, the 22 Secretary of Defense, the members of the Illinois 23 congressional delegation, and the Adjutant General of the 24 Illinois Department of Military Affairs.