Bill Text: MI SR0035 | 2017-2018 | 99th Legislature | Enrolled

Michigan Senate Resolution 35 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: A resolution commemorating March 29, 2017, as Vietnam Veterans Day.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2017-03-28 - Adopted [SR0035 Detail]

Download: Michigan-2017-SR0035-Enrolled.html

SR35, As Adopted by Senate, March 28, 2017

Senators O'Brien and Kowall offered the following resolution:

Senate Resolution No. 35.

A resolution commemorating March 29, 2017, as Vietnam Veterans Day.

Whereas, Vietnam Veterans Day commemorates the sacrifices of Vietnam veterans and their families; and

Whereas, The Vietnam War was fought in Vietnam from 1961-1975, and involved North Vietnam and the Viet Cong in conflict with the United States Armed Forces and South Vietnam; and

Whereas, The United States became involved by serving in an advisory role to the South Vietnamese in 1961; and

Whereas, In 1965, United States Armed Forces ground combat units arrived in Vietnam and by the end of that year there were 80,000 United States troops in Vietnam, with a peak of approximately 500,000 troops in 1969. Michigan residents joined with the rest of the nation, serving our country and our state with honor in Vietnam; and

Whereas, On January 27, 1973, the Treaty of Paris was signed which required the release of all United States prisoners-of-war held in North Vietnam and the withdrawal of all United States Armed Forces from South Vietnam. By March 29, 1973, the United States Armed Forces completed the withdrawal of combat troops from Vietnam; and

Whereas, More than 58,000 members of the United States Armed Forces lost their lives in Vietnam and more than 300,000 members of the Armed Forces were wounded. More than 2,650 Michigan residents lost their lives in the Vietnam War; and

Whereas, It was not until 1982 that the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in Washington, D.C. to commemorate those members of the United States Armed Forces who died or were declared missing-in-action in Vietnam; and

Whereas, Members of the United States Armed Forces who served bravely and faithfully for the United States during the Vietnam War were caught upon their return home in the crossfire of public debate about the involvement of the United States in the Vietnam War; and

Whereas, March 29th marks the anniversary of the day that combat and combat support units withdrew completely from South Vietnam; and

Whereas, The members of the Michigan Senate support the establishment of a Vietnam Veterans Day as an appropriate way to honor those members of the United States Armed Forces who served in Vietnam during the Vietnam War and the 242,562 Vietnam veterans living in Michigan; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body commenorate March 29, 2017, as Vietnam Veterans Day; and be it further

Resolved, That all citizens of the state of Michigan are encouraged to honor our Vietnam veterans.