Bill Text: MI HR0183 | 2021-2022 | 101st Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: A resolution to express our appreciation for the American troops who served in Afghanistan.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2021-10-14 - Adopted [HR0183 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2021-HR0183-Enrolled.html
substitute for
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 183
A resolution to express our appreciation for the American troops who served in Afghanistan.
Whereas, On September 11, 2001, the United States was struck by the largest terrorist attack in our nation’s history. As a result, the War on Terror began and the first U.S. troops arrived in Afghanistan in October of 2001. By December of 2001, roughly 2,500 American troops were on the ground, scouring the mountainous regions looking for al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden and conducting counter-terrorism efforts against the Taliban; and
Whereas, America continued to send in greater numbers of U.S. troops, reaching its peak at 100,000 troops on the ground serving by the end of 2010; and
Whereas, Following the discovery of Osama bin Laden in May of 2011, the U.S. began to slowly bring our troops back home. By 2015 the number had declined to 9,800 troops left who were to continue counter-terrorism missions and to advise the Afghan authorities; and
Whereas, Following a withdrawal agreement, the U.S. forces in Afghanistan were reduced to 2,500 troops by January 2021, with a complete withdrawal planned for May 2021; and
Whereas, In April 2021, the withdrawal process was extended to September 11 and later moved to August 31. Mounting unrest led to the Taliban entering the Afghanistan capital of Kabul on August 15, 2021. What followed was a chaotic dash to evacuate diplomats, troops, and American civilians, along with Afghanis who had assisted the U.S.; and
Whereas, All of the U.S. troops were successfully evacuated from Afghanistan by the end of August 2021. However, there still remains several hundred U.S. citizens awaiting evacuation; and
Whereas, A study done by Brown University estimates that between 1.9 and three million U.S. service members have served in Afghanistan and Iraq since 2001, with over half of them deployed more than once. Roughly 2,300 troops paid the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan during the nearly twenty-year stint, 13 of which died during the evacuation in Kabul; and
Whereas, We acknowledge that many others were wounded during the conflict. Even for those who have comeback unharmed physically, their mental health and well-being in many instances is a constant burden and should be of serious concern to those of us for whom they have sacrificed so much; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body express our appreciation for the American troops who served in Afghanistan. We extend our utmost gratitude, respect, and thankfulness for each one of them who willingly put their lives on the line for our country by serving in Afghanistan between 2001-2021.
