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2002 SESSION

022973825
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 252
House Amendments in [ ] -- February 11, 2002
Encouraging employers to continue salary compensation and employee benefits for members of the Virginia National Guard and any reserve components of the armed forces of the United States during Operation Enduring Freedom.
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Patron Prior to Engrossment--Delegate Marshall, D.W.
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Referred to Committee on Militia, Police and Public Safety
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WHEREAS, the United States that gained independence in the American Revolution chose to rely on a very small Regular Army augmented in time of crises by militia or civilian volunteers; and

WHEREAS, this practice of maintaining a substantial contingent of "citizen soldiers" to augment the regular armed forces has continued through the years and has served the country well throughout its history; and

WHEREAS, today, the armed forces of the United States depend a great deal on members of the National Guard and the reserve components of the armed forces; and

WHEREAS, on September 11, 2001, terrorists launched a violent attack on the United States, causing great destruction and horrific human suffering; and

WHEREAS, in the aftermath of the attack, United States military forces were placed on full alert, and calls for military retaliation, against those responsible and against those nations that harbor them, came from all levels of American society; and

WHEREAS, the United States subsequently launched Operation Enduring Freedom resulting in several National Guard units and reserve components of the armed forces of the United States being called to active duty; and

WHEREAS, these courageous and patriotic Americans answering the call of duty left their jobs and families to defend our country in response to these terrorist attacks; and

WHEREAS, the employers of these individuals have steadfastly supported this noble mission by keeping open the jobs of those called to serve and maintain operations ensuring that the economic strength and vitality of the nation continue; and

WHEREAS, despite this patriotic spirit of cooperation, many individuals called to active duty do not receive compensation equal to their civilian jobs; and

WHEREAS, in consideration of the courageous sacrifices that are being given by the National Guard and the reserve components of the armed forces during Operation Enduring Freedom, employers should be encouraged to continue salary compensation and benefits during this time to help lessen the impact on military families in this time of national need; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That employers be encouraged to continue salary compensation and employee benefits for members of the Virginia National Guard and any reserve components of the armed forces of the United States during Operation Enduring Freedom [ ; and, therefore, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates shall transmit copies of this resolution to the Virginia Chamber of Commerce and any other appropriate entities to ensure that the sense of the General Assembly is known, requesting that they further disseminate copies of this resolution to their respective constituents so that they may be apprised of the sense of the General Assembly of Virginia in this matter ] .