Honoring Women Veterans & Service Members

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 26-1008

BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Phillips and Keltie, Bacon, Barron, Boesenecker, Bottoms, Bradfield, Bradley, Brooks, Brown, Caldwell, Camacho, Carter, Clifford, DeGraaf, Duran, English, Espenoza, Feret, Flanell, Froelich, Garcia, Garcia Sander, Gilchrist, Goldstein, GonzalezR., Hamrick, Hartsook, Jackson, Johnson, Joseph, Lindsay, Lukens, Mabrey, Martinez, Mauro, Nguyen, Paschal, Richardson, Ricks, Rutinel, Sirota, Slaugh, Smith, Soper, Stewart K., Stewart R., Story, Suckla, Taggart, Titone, Valdez, Velasco, Willford, Winter T., Woodrow, Woog, Zokaie, McCluskie; also SENATOR(S) Cutter and Kirkmeyer, Amabile, Baisley, Ball, Bright, Carson, Catlin, Danielson, Exum, Frizell, Gonzales J., Hinrichsen, Jodeh, Kipp, Kolker, Lindstedt, Liston, Michaelson Jenet, Mullica, Pelton B., Pelton R., Rich, Roberts, Rodriguez, Snyder, Wallace, Weissman, Zamora Wilson, Coleman.

CONCERNING THE RECOGNITION AND HONORING OF BRAVE WOMEN VETERANS AND WOMEN SERVING IN THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES.

WHEREAS, Women have courageously served the United States in military roles since the founding of our nation, dating back to the American Revolutionary War in 177 5 when women served as nurses, spies, and couriers and in defense roles alongside the Continental Anny; and WHEREAS, Throughout every major national and global conflict, including the Civil War, World Warl, World WarlI, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, the Global War on Terror, and ongoing missions around the world, women have answered the call to serve with honor, sacrifice, and unwavering patriotism; and

WHEREAS, Women formally became permanent members of the United States Armed Forces with the passage of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948, paving the way for expanded leadership, responsibility, and recognition within the military; and WHEREAS, Women have served with distinction across all branches of the United States Armed Forces, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, Coast Guard, Reserves, and National Guard, contributing critical skills, leadership, innovation, operational excellence, and a warrior spirit; and WHEREAS, Women have served the United States Armed Forces in many specialities, including as pilots, sailors, infantry leaders, intelligence specialists, doctors, medics, engineers, cyber operators, scientists, and builders, and, by 2016, all military positions were open to women, reflecting their proven capability, resilience, and commitment to mission success; and WHEREAS, The establishment of the United States Space Force in 2019 further expanded opportunities for women to lead and protect our nation in emerging and highly technical domains critical to national security; and WHEREAS, Women veterans and service members have endured extraordinary sacrifices, including time away from family, physical and emotional hardship, and the lasting impacts of service, all while strengthening the readiness, effectiveness, and moral foundation of the United States Armed Forces; and WHEREAS, The contributions of women in uniform have not only defended freedom and democracy at home and abroad but have also inspired future generations of women to serve their country with strength, confidence, courage, and honor; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Seventy1f,fth General Assembly ofthe State ofColorado, the Senate concurring herein:

(1) That we honor and recognize our brave and honorable women veterans and women currently serving in the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, Coast Guard, Reserves, and National Guard for their historic and ongoing contributions to the security and freedom of the United States; and (2) That we express our deepest, unwavering gratitude for the service, sacrifice, leadership, and resilience of our women veterans and women currently serving in the United States Armed Forces, and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring they receive the respect, recognition, and support they have earned through their honorable service.

Julie McCluskie SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

James Rashad Coleman Sr. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE

Vanessa Reilly CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Esther van Mourik SECRETARY OF THE SENATE