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SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The Authorization for Use of Military Force
3 Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 was passed by the U.S. Congress
4 on October 11, 2002, and Public Law 107-243 cited Iraq's
5 possession of weapons of mass destruction as a primary reason
6 for the use of United States Armed Forces against Iraq; and
 
7     WHEREAS, On January 12, 2005, President Bush officially
8 declared an end to the search for weapons of mass destruction
9 in Iraq; and
 
10     WHEREAS, The United States initiated combat operations in
11 Iraq on March 19, 2003; and
 
12     WHEREAS, Hundreds of thousands of members of the United
13 States Armed Forces have served with honor and distinction in
14 Iraq; and
 
15     WHEREAS, More than 3,100 members of the United States Armed
16 Forces have been killed and more than 23,000 members of the
17 Armed Forces have been wounded in substantially accomplishing
18 the stated purpose of the United States of giving the people of
19 Iraq a reasonable opportunity to decide their own future; and
 
20     WHEREAS, The United States military occupation of Iraq has

 

 

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1 placed significant strains on the capacity of the United States
2 Armed Forces, both active duty and reserve and the National
3 Guard; and
 
4     WHEREAS, The armed forces of Iraq number more than 76,000
5 troops as of June 8, 2005, and are growing in number and
6 capability daily; and
 
7     WHEREAS, The forces of the Iraqi Interior Ministry number
8 more than 92,000 personnel as of June 8, 2005, and are growing
9 in number and capability daily; and
 
10     WHEREAS, More than $200 billion has been appropriated by
11 Congress to fund military operations and reconstruction in
12 Iraq, and Illinois residents' share now exceeds $2.1 billion;
13 and
 
14     WHEREAS, The funds spent by Illinois taxpayers on the war
15 and occupation in Iraq could have provided Head Start for one
16 year for more than 238,056 children; or medical insurance for
17 one year for more than 1,076,242 children; or more than 31,147
18 public school teachers for one year; or more than 16,183
19 additional housing units, according to the National Priorities
20 Project; and
 
21     WHEREAS, The war and continued occupation have resulted in

 

 

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1 the devastation of Iraq's physical and social infrastructure
2 and led to widespread and continuous resistance to U.S.
3 occupation that threatens the lives of Iraqi civilians and the
4 men and women who compose the ranks of U.S. and other occupying
5 forces; and
 
6     WHEREAS, The presence of United States forces in Iraq has
7 inflamed anti-American passions in the Muslim world and
8 increased the terrorist threat to United States citizens, both
9 at home and abroad; and
 
10     WHEREAS, Polls show that less than half of the American
11 people support the war; and
 
12     WHEREAS, Illinois Congresspersons Rush, Lipinski, Emanuel,
13 Davis, Schakowsky, Jackson, Gutierrez, and Costello joined
14 more than 100 other Congresspersons in voting for a House
15 resolution on an Iraq exit strategy; therefore, be it
 
16     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL
17 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that on behalf of the
18 citizens of Illinois, we urge the United States government to
19 immediately commence an orderly and rapid withdrawal of United
20 States military personnel from Iraq; and be it further
 
21     RESOLVED, That the Illinois General Assembly, recognizing

 

 

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1 that the stability of Iraq is crucial to the security of the
2 citizens of Illinois and to all Americans, urges the United
3 States government to provide the people of Iraq with all
4 necessary non-military material aid as shall be necessary for
5 the security of Iraq's citizens and for the rebuilding of Iraq;
6 and be it further
 
7     RESOLVED, That the financial resources used to prosecute
8 the war be redirected to address the urgent needs of America
9 and the most vulnerable portions of our population, including
10 health, education, and homeland security; and be it further
 
11     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution shall be
12 sent to George W. Bush, President of the United States, and the
13 members of the Illinois Congressional delegation.