HR1062

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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, It is a core mission of the National Guard to 
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provide the states with  units that are trained and equipped to 
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protect life and property; and
 
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    WHEREAS, The Fire Department of the 183rd Fighter Wing of 
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the Illinois Air National Guard is such a unit; and
 
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    WHEREAS, The Department, which is based out of the Abraham 
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Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield, Illinois, provides 
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invaluable people, equipment, and resources for meeting the 
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State's needs in responding to emergencies and natural 
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disasters; and

 
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    WHEREAS, In 2005, the U.S. Defense Base Closure and 
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Realignment  Commission announced that the 183rd Fighter Wing 
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would lose it's F-16 aircraft; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The National Guard Bureau announced that, without 
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a flying mission, the firefighter positions for the 183rd would 
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be eliminated as of April 1, 2008; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The removal of the Fire Department at the 183rd 
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would have a substantial negative impact on the safety of the 
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flying public, on the emergency-response capabilities of 
 


 






HR1062
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Springfield and the surrounding communities,  and on those 
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communities' ability to respond to natural disasters and to 
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homeland security; therefore, be it


 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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urge the United States Congress and the National Guard Bureau 
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to take all necessary steps to ensure that the Fire Department 
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of the 183rd remains located at the Abraham Lincoln Capital 
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Airport in Springfield, Illinois for the protection and 
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preservation of the lives and property of citizens of Central 
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Illinois; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be delivered to 
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Lieutenant General H. Steven Blum, Chief, National Guard 
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Bureau, the President pro tempore of the U.S. Senate, the 
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Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, and each member 
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of the Illinois congressional delegation.