HR0072 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0072 LRB104 09870 MST 19938 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate the United States Army on the occasion of its 250th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, The United States Army, then called the Continental Army, was founded on June 14, 1775 by the Continental Congress and placed under the command of Gen. George Washington in recognition of the need for a national standing army for defense; and

WHEREAS, The United States Army is older than the nation it serves, as it was founded before the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the adoption of the Constitution; the vital role of the Army cannot be overstated, ranging from warfighting capabilities and domestic and international infrastructure projects to humanitarian aid; and

WHEREAS, Much of the history of the United States has been written on battlefields around the world; this history was created by individuals from all walks of life, of all colors, creeds, religions, genders, social classes, and identities; and

WHEREAS, The United States Army is an institution that demands so much of its members; it is on behalf of the nation that these demands are asked and are met, repeatedly, from the earliest days of the founding of the United States to the present day and into the conflicts of the future; and

WHEREAS, The United States Army in the modern context traces its roots to the War of 1812, as a continuation of the Continental Army, and has seen battle on the American continent during westward expansion, the Civil War, and the Caribbean during the Spanish-American War; and

WHEREAS, The United States Army has not only seen conflict in the Americas but also Europe during the World Wars, in the Pacific during World War II, and on mainland Asia during the Korean and Vietnam wars; and

WHEREAS, The most recent conflicts in which the United States Army engaged were mostly fought in Iraq, Afghanistan, and North Africa in an effort to combat terrorism and democratize the region; and

WHEREAS, The United States Army must be adaptable to the changing nature of conflicts and global circumstances; the logistical capabilities of the United States Army are unmatched, and the noble pursuit of the individuals who make up the United States Army add to the long-storied lineage of not only the United States Army but also of a grateful nation; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the United States Army on its 250th anniversary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Brig. Gen. John "Brad" Hinson as an expression of our highest respect and esteem.