Sponsored by:
Assemblyman REED GUSCIORA
District 15 (Mercer)
Assemblyman CRAIG A. STANLEY
District 28 (Essex)
Assemblywoman VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE
District 37 (Bergen)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblyman Diegnan, Assemblywoman Lampitt and Assemblyman Vas
SYNOPSIS
Expresses strong opposition to President Bush’s surge in U.S. troops in Iraq.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution expressing strong opposition to President Bush’s surge in United States troops in Iraq.
Whereas, President George W. Bush announced in January that he would send more United States armed forces to Iraq and extend the duty of many such troops already in that country in an effort to end the sectarian violence that has engulfed that nation and to provide stability to the new Iraqi government; and
Whereas, The United States has already committed 132,000 armed forces personnel to that country and plans to escalate troop levels by 21,500 for a total of 153,500, at a cost of $5.6 billion; and
Whereas, The president’s “surge” comes at a time when a substantial majority of the American public have expressed opposition to the war, in general, and his plan to expand it, in particular; and
Whereas, The president’s plan is also opposed by members of Congress, including many who are members of the same political party as the president, who believe that the United States is ultimately responsible for the civil war gripping Iraq; and
Whereas, Many family members of service personnel fighting in Iraq are already deeply concerned about their loved ones’ safety and are disappointed that the tour of many such soldiers will be extended by at least several months; and
Whereas, To date, the global war on terror, of which the war in Iraq is a part, has already had a significant impact on servicemen and women from New Jersey and their families, with over 6,000 State Army and Air National Guard and Reserve troops deployed and 83 service personnel killed and many more injured; and
Whereas, The surge will effect 159 members of the New Jersey National Guard currently in Iraq, so that instead of returning in March or April, members of the 117th Reconnaissance Surveillance Target Acquisition Unit and the 250th Brigade Support Battalion will now be returning in July or August; and
Whereas, It is clear to this House that sending more troops to Iraq will result in the death of more American service personnel but will do little to end the civil war in Iraq or bring lasting peace to the Iraqi people and stability to their new government; and
Whereas, Despite this House’s opposition to President Bush’s action, it strongly and unequivocally supports the brave men and women in all branches of the Armed Forces of the United States who are currently in Iraq, those service personnel who will be sent to that county as a part of the surge and the families of such troops who remain at home concerned about their loved ones in the war zone; and
Whereas, It is therefore fitting and proper for this House to express its strong opposition to President Bush’s surge in United States troops in Iraq; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New
Jersey.
1. This House expresses its strong opposition to President George W. Bush’s surge in United States troops in Iraq.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk thereof, shall be transmitted to the President George W. Bush and every member of Congress elected from New Jersey.
STATEMENT
This Assembly Resolution expresses the General Assembly’s strong opposition to President Bush’s surge in United States troops in Iraq.