Honoring Post-9/11 Veterans

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 26-1014

BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Martinez and Hartsook, Bacon, Barron, Boesenecker, Bottoms, Bradfield, Bradley, Brooks, Brown, Caldwell, Camacho, Carter, Clifford, DeGraaf, Duran, English, Espenoza, Feret, Flanell, Froelich, Garcia, Garcia Sander, Gilchrist, Goldstein, Gonzalez R., Hamrick, Jackson, Johnson, Joseph, Keltie, Lindsay, Luck, Lukens, Mabrey, Mauro, Nguyen, Paschal, Phillips, 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) Ball and Pelton B., Amabile, Baisley, Bright, Carson, Catlin, Cutter, Danielson, Exum, Frizell, Gonzales J., Hinrichsen, Jodeh, Kipp, Kirkmeyer, Kolker, Lindstedt, Liston, Michaelson Jenet, Mullica, Pelton R., Rich, Roberts, Rodriguez, Snyder, Wallace, Weissman, Zamora Wilson, Coleman.

CONCERNING HONORING POST-9/11 VETERANS.

WHEREAS, Following the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, the United States engaged in extended military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, spanning approximately two decades. These operations included Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Freedom's Sentinel, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, and Operation Inherent Resolve; and WHEREAS, During this period, the United States deployed more than two million American service members to Iraq and Afghanistan. Of those service members, more than 6,900 were killed in action, including 107 service members from Colorado; and

WHEREAS, Of those service members who came home to Colorado, many continue to live with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries, and other service-related conditions as a result of their deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan that require ongoing care and support; and WHEREAS, The families and loved ones of service members also share in those sacrifices and carry the burdens associated with combat; and WHEREAS, As the fifth anniversary of the withdrawal of United States troops from Afghanistan nears, it is imperative to acknowledge the sacrifices made by the veterans who served after September 11, 2001, as many are just beginning to share their stories, process their grief, and adjust to civilian life; now, therefore, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Seventy-fifth General Assembly ofthe State ofColorado, the Senate concurring herein:

(1) That we, the members of the Seventy-fifth General Assembly, honor the courage, service, and sacrifice of all Americans who served in military operations following September 11, 2001; (2) That we solemnly remember the 107 service members of the United States Armed Forces from Colorado who lost their lives during this period of service; (3) That we express profound gratitude to all Colorado veterans who served during this time for their dedication and commitment; and (4) That we reaffirm the ongoing responsibility of the Colorado General Assembly to ensure that veterans and their families receive timely, comprehensive, and competent care, support, and recognition.

Be It Further Resolved, That copies of this Joint Resolution be sent to President Donald J. Trump; Governor Jared Polis; Major General Robert Davis, Adjutant General of Colorado and Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs; Fred Scheck, State Commander of the Department of Colorado Veterans of Foreign Wars; the American Legion Department of Colorado; the Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs; the United Veterans Coalition of Colorado; the Paralyzed Veterans of America Mountain States Chapter; the Broomfield Veterans Museum; the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum; and each member of the Colorado Congressional Delegation.

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