2005 Senate Joint Resolution 29
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: expressing support for the continued presence of military installations throughout the state.
Whereas, the Wisconsin Constitution, as adopted in 1848, authorized the legislature to determine the composition, organization, and discipline of the state militia; and
Whereas, in 1849, the Wisconsin Statutes specified the procedure for the organization of locally controlled "uniform companies," and, by 1858, the legislature provided for the organization of the State Militia, and, in 1879, state law changed the militia's name to the Wisconsin National Guard; and
Whereas, in 1903, Congress passed the legislation to provide federal supervision of and financial responsibility for the National Guard, granting federal aids and inspections by regular U.S. Army officers; and
Whereas, Wisconsin is the proud home of 4 military installations: Fort McCoy, Volk Field, Truax Field, and Mitchell Field; and
Whereas, Fort McCoy in Monroe County has proudly served Wisconsin and the nation since 1909; and
Whereas, since Sept. 11, 2001, Fort McCoy has served more than 36,000 soldiers from nearly 700 units for mobilization and demobilization and serves in a continuing capacity as one of the Army's 15 Power-Projection Platforms by preparing soldiers for duty in the Global War on Terrorism; and
Whereas, Volk Field in Juneau County is one of only 4 Air National Guard Combat Readiness Training Centers in the nation, annually administering training to more than 200 units every year; and
Whereas, the Fort McCoy-Volk Field combination represents a combination of joint-force capabilities unlike any other military installations anywhere in the upper Midwest; and
Whereas, Truax Field in Dane County is home to the 115th Fighter Wing of the Wisconsin Air National Guard and the 147th Aviation Unit of the Wisconsin Army National Guard; and
Whereas, the Truax Field facilities are considered models by the Air National Guard Civil Engineering Office at Andrews Air Force Base; and
Whereas, Mitchell Field in Milwaukee County is home to the Air National Guard's 128th Air Refueling Wing and the Air Force Reserve's 440th Airlift Wing; and
Whereas, the 128th and 440th provide military airspace training operations from Eau Claire in western Wisconsin to the middle of Lake Michigan, encompassing more than 80,000 square miles; and
Whereas, over the past 150 years, Wisconsin units have been called to active federal service on numerous occasions including the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, the Berlin Crisis, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War, Operations Southern Watch and Northern Watch, Operation Allied Force, Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom; and
Whereas, more than 8,000 military, civilian, and contract workers are employed by the state's military bases; and
Whereas, citizens across the state continue to perform selfless volunteer duties in support of the United States military in times of war and peace, strengthening Wisconsin's long-standing tradition of citizen support of and service to active and veteran military personnel; and
Whereas, these dedicated individuals generate an estimated $918 million annually into the economy contributing to Wisconsin's civic and financial well-being; and
Whereas, within hours of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on America, the Wisconsin Guard began yet another period of extensive support to U.S. military operations; and
Whereas, Wisconsin's facilities are of strong military value to the current and future mission capabilities of the United States Armed Forces to defend America against 21st century threats; and
Whereas, with new mobilization orders as of June 2005, approximately 6,620 soldiers and airmen from the Wisconsin Army and Air National Guard will have served on active duty since September 11, 2001; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the legislature of the state of Wisconsin expresses gratitude for the contributions that military and civilian personnel at military installations throughout the state, including Fort McCoy, Volk Field, Truax Field and Mitchell Field, have made and continue to make to strengthen the nation's defense, the state's economy, and the communities in which they live; and, be it further
Resolved, That the legislature expresses support for the continued presence of military installations throughout the state for future mission opportunities, which seek to protect our liberties and freedoms; and, be it further
Resolved, That this joint resolution shall serve to recognize the sacrifice of military men and women serving at home and abroad as well as their families who honor their loved ones' devotion to service and country; and, be it further
Resolved, That the senate chief clerk shall send a copy of this joint resolution to military personnel at Fort McCoy, Volk Field, Truax Field, and Mitchell Field, members of the Wisconsin congressional delegation, the secretary of the United States Department of Defense, and members of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission, on behalf of the people of the great state of Wisconsin.
