STATE SENATE APPROVES RESOLUTION
OPPOSING ESCALATION IN IRAQ

State Senator Jarrett Barrios announced that the Massachusetts Senate March 12 joined the growing national outcry over the Bush Administration’s Iraq policy by approving a resolution calling on Congress to stop the planned escalation and begin bringing the troops home.

“It is clear that the majority of Americans, and a growing number of military experts, believe that the problems in Iraq cannot be solved with force alone,” said Senator Barrios. “I’m pleased that my fellow senators have joined me in sending the message to Congress, and the entire world, that a policy calling for more war is not what we want or what the situation needs.”

The resolution, which was read into the record during Monday’s Senate session, opposes the Bush Administration’s escalation plan and calls on Congress to explore using its budgetary powers to reduce troop levels in Iraq, with an eye toward ultimate withdrawal, and to provide better health care services for military personnel. Copies of the resolution will be sent to President Bush, the Massachusetts Congressional delegation, and the U.S. Congress.

This is the second action the Massachusetts Senate has taken recently regarding veterans’ issues. Last week, the Senate approved a resolution by State Senator Stephen Brewer (D-Barre) that calls on Congress to increase funding for veterans’ services above the 6 percent increase proposed by President Bush.

RESOLUTION OPPOSING ESCALATION IN IRAQ

Presented By:

Stan Rosenberg, Robert O’Leary, Karen E. Spilka

Additional Sponsors:
Michael W. Morrissey, Jarret T. Barrios, Edward M. Augustus, Patricia D. Jehlen,
Susan C. Tucker, Robert L. Hedlund, Pamela Resor, Mark Montigny,
Senator Cynthia Stone Creem, Senator Marc R. Pacheco, Senator Benjamin B. Downing, Steven C. Panagiotakos, Harriette L. Chandler, Thomas M. McGee, Dianne Wilkerson

WHEREAS, THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES ARE COMPRISED OF THE FINEST AND BRAVEST MEN AND WOMEN IN THE WORLD; AND
WHEREAS, THE CITIZENS OF THE COMMONWEALTH HAVE THE GREATEST PRIDE IN THE MEMBERS OF OUR ARMED FORCES AND STRONGLY SUPPORT THEM; AND

WHEREAS, THESE MEN AND WOMEN HAVE CONSISTENTLY AND UNWAVERINGLY PLACED THEMSELVES IN HARMS WAY TO PROTECT THE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES; AND

WHEREAS, MORE THAN 3,000 OF THESE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN HAVE MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE  AND GIVEN THEIR LIVES AND OVER 22,000 MEN AND WOMEN HAVE BEEN WOUNDED AND DISABLED IN DEFENSE OF OUR COUNTRY DURING THE COURSE OF THE CONFLICT IN IRAQ; AND

WHEREAS, THESE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN HAVE SELFLESSLY PERFORMED THEIR DUTIES IN IRAQ WITH EXCELLENCE, PATRIOTISM AND BRAVERY IN THE FINEST TRADITIONS OF OUR ARMED FORCES UNDER INTENSE AND TRYING CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING ENDURING ADDITIONAL COMBAT TOURS OF DUTY; AND

WHEREAS, THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF HAS PROPOSED AN ESCALATION IN THE NUMBER OF U.S. TROOPS DEPLOYED IN IRAQ; AND
WHEREAS, THIS PROPOSED ESCALATION MAY FURTHER EXTEND THE TOURS OF MASSACHUSETTS NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS IN IRAQ ;AND
WHEREAS, A SIGNIFICANT BURDEN HAS BEEN BORNE BY THE NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS DEPLOYED IN IRAQ WITH 320 MASSACHUSETTS NATIONAL GUARDSMEN CURRENTLY SERVING AND A TOTAL OF 3,100 WHO HAVE SERVED THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THE CONFLICT; AND

WHEREAS, THE LOSS OF LIFE, THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL TRAUMAS SUFFERED AND THE DISRUPTION OF FAMILY LIFE ARE AMONG THE MOST SIGNIFICANT OF THOSE BURDENS; AND

WHEREAS, AS OF JANUARY 2007, MORE THAN $357 BILLION HAS BEEN APPROPRIATED BY CONGRESS TO FUND MILITARY OPERATIONS AND RECONSTRUCTION IN IRAQ; AND

WHEREAS, THESE FUNDS, HAD THEY NOT BEEN EXPENDED FOR THIS PURPOSE, COULD HAVE FUNDED EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE, HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION, PUBLIC SAFETY AND OTHER PROGRAMS AND SERVICES IN OUR COMMUNITIES; AND

WHEREAS, THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES HAS WITHIN ITS AUTHORITY THE ABILITY TO LIMIT FUNDING OF ALL MILITARY MATTERS THEREBY LIMITING ESCALATION AND/OR FORCING REDEPLOYMENT OF TROOPS; AND

Whereas, the Congress of the United States has the authority to pass legislation providing full benefits, adequate health care and other needed services to ALL U.S. service men and women and their families and to fully fund such services; THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, THAT THE MASSACHUSETTS STATE SENATE, ON BEHALF OF THE CITIZENS OF THE COMMONWEALTH, URGES THAT THE UNITED STATES MOVE TOWARDS A REDUCTION IN TROOPS AND WITHDRAWAL OF THE US ARMED FORCES FROM IRAQ, AT THE EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS WORK TOGETHER TO DEVELOP A PLAN FOR EXPEDITING AN END TO OUR MILITARY ENGAGEMENT IN IRAQ; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, THAT A SUITABLE COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION SHALL BE SENT TO GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION, AND TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS.
 

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