HR0935 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0935 LRB094 19629 LJB 55943 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Illinois National Guard's commander has received instructions from the Pentagon to draft plans for the elimination of 1,000 positions from the Illinois National Guard; and

WHEREAS, The positions would be cut from an authorized level of 9,600 troops for the Illinois National Guard, which currently has only 9,400 troops serving because of recruiting shortfalls; and

WHEREAS, The President of the United States has often spoken about the need to be vigilant at home in keeping citizens safe from human and natural threats; these efforts are made more difficult when the Illinois National Guard is weakened; and

WHEREAS, The potential cuts are part of a broad national effort to cut the authorized size of the National Guard and have faced opposition from the nation's governors and Congress; and

WHEREAS, The reduction of the Illinois National Guard would diminish the State's ability to respond to major natural disasters and terrorist attacks; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the federal government not to reduce the number of positions in the Illinois National Guard due to the need for these individuals not only in wartime, but also in times of emergency and to respond to natural disasters; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the President of the United States, the Secretary of Defense, and to each member of the Illinois congressional delegation.