SR0065enr 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

09500SR0065 Enrolled LRB095 10751 DRJ 31328 r

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 65

WHEREAS, The Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 was passed by the U.S. Congress on October 11, 2002, and Public Law 107-243 cited Iraq's possession of weapons of mass destruction as a primary reason for the use of United States Armed Forces against Iraq; and

WHEREAS, Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was a brutal dictator who used weapons of mass destruction against Iraqi civilians and flouted international law; and

WHEREAS, Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was a danger to the stability of the region; and

WHEREAS, The United States initiated combat operations in Iraq on March 19, 2003; and

WHEREAS, On January 12, 2005, President Bush officially declared an end to the search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, United States Armed Forces toppled the totalitarian Ba'athist regime in Iraq, and captured Saddam Hussein; and

WHEREAS, On January 10, 2007, President George W. Bush announced his plan to deepen the United States military involvement in Iraq by deploying approximately 21,000 additional United States combat forces to Iraq; and

WHEREAS, Over 137,000 American military personnel are currently serving in Iraq, like thousands of others since March 2003, with the bravery and professionalism consistent with the finest traditions of the United States Armed Forces, and are deserving of the support of all Americans, which they have strongly; and

WHEREAS, Many American service personnel have lost their lives, and many more have been wounded, in Iraq, and the American people will always honor their sacrifices and honor their families; and

WHEREAS, More than $200 billion has been appropriated by Congress to fund military operations and reconstruction in Iraq, and Illinois residents' share now exceeds $2.1 billion; and

WHEREAS, The March/April 2007 edition of Foreign Policy magazine estimates that in 2007 the Iraq war will cost the American people $245,370 per minute; and

WHEREAS, The funds spent by Illinois taxpayers on the war and occupation in Iraq could have provided Head Start for one year for more than 238,056 children; or medical insurance for one year for more than 1,076,242 children; or more than 31,147 public school teachers for one year; or more than 16,183 additional housing units, according to the National Priorities Project; and

WHEREAS, Iraq is witnessing widening sectarian and intra-sectarian violence; and

WHEREAS, The responsibility for Iraq's internal security and halting sectarian violence must rest primarily with the Government of Iraq and Iraqi Security Forces; and

WHEREAS, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki stated on November 27, 2006, that "The crisis is political, and the ones who can stop the cycle of aggravation and bloodletting of innocents are the politicians"; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the State of Illinois, on behalf of its citizens, salutes and supports the dedicated service of the members of the United States Armed Forces, including members of the Illinois National Guard; and be it further

RESOLVED, That on behalf of the citizens of Illinois, the Senate believes that it is not in the national interest of the United States to deepen its military involvement in Iraq, particularly by escalating the United States military force presence in Iraq; and it be further

RESOLVED, That the primary objective of United States strategy in Iraq should be to have the Iraqi political leaders make the political compromises necessary to end the violence in Iraq; and be it further

RESOLVED, That greater concerted regional and international support would assist the Iraqis in achieving a political solution and national reconciliation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the United States should engage nations in the Middle East to develop a regional, internationally sponsored peace and reconciliation process for Iraq; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the United States should transfer, under an appropriately expedited timeline, responsibility for internal security and halting sectarian violence in Iraq to the Government of Iraq and Iraqi Security Forces from American military personnel; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration must provide the highest quality of care to our wounded and injured American heroes; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution shall be sent to George W. Bush, President of the United States, the members of the Illinois Congressional delegation, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, the President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate, and the Minority Leader of the United States Senate.