H.C.R. No. 75

By: Eissler, Branch, Bonnen, Griggs, Stick, et al.

House Concurrent Resolution

WHEREAS, In the wake of the events of September 11, 2001, President George W. Bush affirmed that the acts committed that day against America "will not stand" and since that time has prosecuted steadfastly a war on terrorism in all its forms, across many fronts; and

WHEREAS, The president's patience, leadership, and will to defeat the forces of malevolent fanaticism have hardened this nation's resolve as our troops have struck against Al Qaeda in its former Afghan stronghold and stand ready if further called to root out subverters of peace and brandishers of weapons of mass destruction; and

WHEREAS, Domestically, President Bush has acted with both initiative and organizational acumen toward the precautionary defense of our citizens and their livelihood through the creation of the Office of Homeland Security and its Cabinet-level successor, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; and

WHEREAS, Internationally, when others might have preferred to downplay continuing threats to this and other nations and to the freedom and safety of the world's people, he has marshaled formidable military might while awaiting the efforts of inspectors in Iraq, seeking either forcefully or peacefully to hold that nation's regime accountable to disarmament obligations under resolutions of the United Nations; and

WHEREAS, We support the First Amendment to our Constitution and acknowledge that freedom of speech is a cornerstone of our democracy where people have the freedom to express their points of view for and against any action taken by their government; and

WHEREAS, There are many Americans who love this country and support our troops but do not support the administration's policy in Iraq, and this resolution does not question the patriotism of those who exercise their rights under the First Amendment to speak their consciences; and

WHEREAS, Legislators in Texas stand strongly behind the policies of their former governor with respect to these several issues and implore leaders and members of the United States Congress to unify the nation as it confronts the grave problems of national and international security; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the 78th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby respectfully urge the Congress of the United States to support President Bush's policies of war on terrorism, homeland security, and disarmament action against Iraq; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to the speaker of the House of Representatives and the president of the Senate of the United States Congress, and to all the members of the Texas delegation to the Congress with the request that this resolution be officially entered in the Congressional Record as a memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.

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Amendment No. 4

by Rep. Lon Burnam

Representative Burnam offered the following amendment to HCRi75:

Amend HCR 75 by striking the resolution and substituting the following:

WHEREAS, We support our men and women in the armed forces 100 percent. We salute them for their sacrifice on behalf of our nation. We thank them for their willingness to risk their lives; and

WHEREAS, Even as we praise our servicemen and women, we regret that the president of the United States has ordered them to start a preemptive war fought without international support; and

WHEREAS, We believe a preemptive, unilateral war is unworthy of the honor and tradition of the U.S. military. Our armed forces should not be invading and occupying other countries; and

WHEREAS, The House Budget Committee voted to cut the Department of Veterans Affairs' budget by $14 billion over the next 10 years; and

WHEREAS, The House Budget Committee voted to cut the Impact Aid program that supports the education of soldiers' children by $204 million; and

WHEREAS, The Bush Administration ordered the Department of Veterans Affairs to limit veterans' access to healthcare and benefits by ordering VA to stop publicizing the availability of benefits; and

WHEREAS, In the last Gulf War, veterans were exposed to the fall out from destroyed chemical weapons, ammunition depots, oil fires, depleted uranium and experimental drugs resulting in the disabling of more than 163,000 veterans, and;

WHEREAS, Despite the requirements of the 1997 Force Health Protection law (Public Law 105--85), the Department of Defense is repeating the mistakes from 1991 by failing to identify who went to war, their exposures, and their health consequences; and,

WHEREAS, An offensive war and budget cuts demonstrate that Congress and the president have thus far failed to provide support for veterans and families of active duty troops and reservists; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, We call for an increase in government spending for veterans and higher pay and benefits for service members and their families; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge our government to adopt a foreign policy that achieves victory through diplomacy and engagement with the United Nations and democracies rather than resorting to war as the first option to resolve disputes. Avoiding and ending unnecessary combat in Iraq is the best way to support our troops and ensure their safe and speedy return home; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to the speaker of the House of Representatives and the president of the Senate of the United States Congress, and to all the members of the Texas delegation to the Congress with the request that this resolution be officially entered in the Congressional Record as a memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.

Amendment No. 4 was withdrawn.