Illinoise General Assembly resolve Army pullback from Afghanistan

SENATE RESOLUTION SR0129 LRB096 11744 DRJ 22876 r

WHEREAS, The war in Afghanistan and the use of the United

States Armed Forces was necessary at the time following the

attacks on 9/11; and

WHEREAS, Our troops have performed magnificently and

heroically in their pursuit of terrorists; and

WHEREAS, United States Armed Forces have helped secure the

new government in Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS, The people of the United States have indicated

that this war has gone on long enough; and

WHEREAS, Many American service personnel have lost their

lives, and many more have been wounded, in Afghanistan, and the

American people will always honor their sacrifices and honor

their families; and

WHEREAS, Billions of dollars have been appropriated by

Congress to fund military operations and reconstruction in

Afghanistan, and Illinois residents' share now exceeds $2.1

billion; those funds could be going to much-needed infrastructure,

education, and capital programs; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH 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

Afghanistan, particularly by escalating the United States

military force presence in Afghanistan, that the 17,000 U.S.

troops in Afghanistan should be recalled from there, and that we

should concentrate on capturing Osama bin Laden; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the primary objective of United States

strategy in Afghanistan should be to have the Afghani political

leaders make the political compromises necessary to end the

violence in Afghanistan; and be it further

RESOLVED, That greater concerted regional and

international support would assist the Afghanis 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 Afghanistan;

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 Afghanistan to the

Government of Afghanistan and Afghani 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

American heroes wounded and injured in Afghanistan; and be it

further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution shall be

sent to President Barack Obama, 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.