Resolution BC-2005-05-5-19

A Resolution to withdraw Oregon's National Guard Troops from Iraq and Afghanistan

Whereas all conditions underlying PL 107-243 910/16/02) authorizing military action against Iraq have been proven false or declared invalid, and all U.S. troops who are serving or have served in Iraq were sent to war for reasons that have been proven false or declared invalid, and

Whereas the Democratic Party of Oregon's 2004 Legislative Agenda (rev. 4/24/05) states, "We support getting the U.N. in and the U.S. out of Iraq...., and states, "We oppose the use of the National Guard overseas.", and

Whereas the Benton County Democrats 2004 Legislative Agenda state, "We support a near term withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.", and

Whereas the Governor and State Legislature of Oregon have a particular responsibility to the members of the Oregon National Guard, their families and to the community that they serve, and

Whereas the Oregon National Guard was created for the protection of the citizens of Oregon from natural disasters or threats of violence within the state boundaries, as well as to protect the sovereignty of U.S. borders, and

Whereas Oregon's National Guard troops have been called up in unprecedented numbers, at the highest per capita level of any state, to serve on active duty in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and

Whereas absent the deployment of U.S. forces to Iraq, there would be no need for the use of National Guard troops in Afghanistan, and

Whereas Oregon National Guard troops have been poorly equipped and have received only rudimentary training for service in these wars, and are therefore suffering casualties at rates considerably higher than those of regular Army troops, and

Whereas Oregon's National Guard troops are being subjected to unfair and involuntary extensions of duty well beyond the terms of their enlistment contracts, and their families, employers and communities have had to bear the hardship of accommodating the prolonged absence of the Guard members, and

Whereas the National Guard at home in Oregon has been decimated by the mobilization of our troops for these foreign wars, and

Whereas a disproportionate number of National Guard members, in civilian life, serve as police officers, firefighters, EMT personnel, prison guards, etc., their absence has left our own communities vulnerable and ill-prepared for any natural disaster or terrorist attack within our own state borders, and

Whereas fewer and fewer Oregonians are willing to enlist in the National Guard because of the in appropriate use and unfair treatment of Guard troops by the U.S. Defense Department and Department of the Army, leaving the likelihood that Oregon could be left without the fullest benefit of Oregon Guard service for years to come.

Be it resolved that the Benton County Democrats call on the Governor to urgently request the President of the United States to bring the Oregon National Guard troops home at once and

• Call on Senator Morse and Representatives Wirth, Boquist and Olson to support this resolution, and

• Call on Democratic Party organizations in other Oregon counties to likewise support this resolution and urge their state legislators to support this resolution, and

• Call on the State Central Committee of the Democratic Party of Oregon likewise to endorse this resolution and urge Oregon's legislators and statewide elected officials to support this resolution.