HR0288 LRB096 12416 GRL 25343 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The Department of Homeland Security's Office of
3 Intelligence and Analysis released a report titled "Rightwing
4 Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling
5 Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment"; and
 
6     WHEREAS, The report suggests that acts of violence could
7 come from unnamed "rightwing extremists" concerned about
8 illegal immigration, abortion, increasing federal power, and
9 restrictions on firearms; the report singles out returning war
10 veterans as susceptible to recruitment; and
 
11     WHEREAS, The Department of Homeland Security assessed that
12 right-wing extremists will attempt to recruit and radicalize
13 returning veterans in order to exploit their skills and
14 knowledge derived from military training and combat; and
 
15     WHEREAS, The report says that veterans are of particular
16 interest among radicals, who would seek to recruit returning
17 troops with "combat skills and experience" so as to boost their
18 "violent capabilities"; and
 
19     WHEREAS, Pete Hegseth, chairman of Vets for Freedom and an
20 Army veteran who served in Iraq, said the report represents a
21 "gross misunderstanding and oversimplification [and] it's

 

 

HR0288 - 2 - LRB096 12416 GRL 25343 r

1 amazing they would single out veterans as a threat to this
2 country"; he also said that "It underscores a pervasive belief
3 that some are trying to spread that veterans are victims and
4 we're coming home as damaged goods that need to be coddled
5 instead of celebrated."; and
 
6     WHEREAS, American veterans have answered the call of duty
7 and served our country when it needed them; and
 
8     WHEREAS, Veterans have risked their lives protecting our
9 freedom; therefore, be it
 
10     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
11 NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
12 urge Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the Department of Homeland
13 Security, to apologize to all veterans for alleging that those
14 who serve our country are one of the greatest risks of
15 extremism; and be it further
 
16     RESOLVED, That we urge Janet Napolitano to step down and
17 resign as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security in
18 recognition of her actions; and be it further
 
19     RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to
20 Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the Department of Homeland
21 Security.