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1
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, It is a core mission of the National Guard to
3 provide the states with units that are trained and equipped to
4 protect life and property; and
 
5     WHEREAS, The Fire Department of the 183rd Fighter Wing of
6 the Illinois Air National Guard is such a unit; and
 
7     WHEREAS, The Department, which is based out of the Abraham
8 Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield, Illinois, provides
9 invaluable people, equipment, and resources for meeting the
10 State's needs in responding to emergencies and natural
11 disasters; and
 
12     WHEREAS, In 2005, the U.S. Defense Base Closure and
13 Realignment Commission announced that the 183rd Fighter Wing
14 would lose its F-16 aircraft; and
 
15     WHEREAS, The National Guard Bureau announced that, without
16 a flying mission, the firefighter positions for the 183rd would
17 be eliminated as of April 1, 2008; and
 
18     WHEREAS, The removal of the Fire Department at the 183rd
19 would have a substantial negative impact on the safety of the
20 flying public, on the emergency-response capabilities of

 

 

SJ0016 - 2 - LRB096 10716 GRL 20897 r

1 Springfield and the surrounding communities, and on those
2 communities' ability to respond to natural disasters and to
3 homeland security; and
 
4     WHEREAS, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin recently requested an
5 MC-12 Mission from Secretary of Defense Robert Gates for the
6 183rd Fighter Wing, Illinois Air National Guard to ensure the
7 Illinois Air National Guard's ability to further its homeland
8 defense and disaster relief efforts; therefore, be it
 
9     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL
10 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
11 CONCURRING HEREIN, that we urge the United States Congress and
12 the National Guard Bureau to take all necessary steps to ensure
13 that the Fire Department of the 183rd remains located at the
14 Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield, Illinois for
15 the protection and preservation of the lives and property of
16 citizens of Central Illinois; and be it further
 
17     RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be delivered to
18 Lieutenant General H. Steven Blum, Chief, National Guard
19 Bureau, the President pro tempore of the U.S. Senate, the
20 Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, and each member
21 of the Illinois congressional delegation.