Global Research

State of Vermont

House of Representatives

Montpelier, Vermont

House Resolution

H.R.  11

House resolution calling for the orderly withdrawal of American military forces from Iraq to commence immediately

Offered by:  Representatives Fisher of Lincoln, Ancel of Calais, Aswad of Burlington, Atkins of Winooski, Bissonnette of Winooski, Botzow of Pownal, Bray of New Haven, Brooks of Montpelier, Cheney of Norwich, Clarkson of Woodstock, Condon of Colchester, Copeland-Hanzas of Bradford, Davis of Washington, Deen of Westminster, Donovan of Burlington, Dostis of Waterbury, Edwards of Brattleboro, Emmons of Springfield, Frank of Underhill, French of Randolph, Gilbert of Fairfax, Grad of Moretown, Haas of Rochester, Head of S. Burlington, Heath of Westford, Hosford of Waitsfield, Howard of Rutland City, Hunt of Essex, Hutchinson of Randolph, Jerman of Essex, Jewett of Ripton, Johnson of South Hero, Keenan of St. Albans City, Kitzmiller of Montpelier, Klein of East Montpelier, Larson of Burlington, Lippert of Hinesburg, Lorber of Burlington, Maier of Middlebury, Malcolm of Pawlet, Marek of Newfane, Martin of Springfield, Martin of Wolcott, Masland of Thetford, McCullough of Williston, Milkey of Brattleboro, Miller of Shaftsbury, Minter of Waterbury, Mitchell of Barnard, Moran of Wardsboro, Mrowicki of Putney, Nease of Johnson, Nuovo of Middlebury, Obuchowski of Rockingham, Ojibway of Hartford, Orr of Charlotte, Partridge of Windham, Pearson of Burlington, Pellett of Chester, Peltz of Woodbury, Pillsbury of Brattleboro, Potter of Clarendon, Pugh of S. Burlington, Randall of Troy, Rodgers of Glover, Shand of Weathersfield, Sharpe of Bristol, Spengler of Colchester, Sweaney of Windsor, Symington of Jericho, Trombley of Grand Isle, Weston of Burlington, Zenie of Colchester and Zuckerman of Burlington

Whereas, in March 2003, the United States initiated a military incursion into Iraq, and

Whereas, every member of the House of Representatives has only the greatest respect for our military forces now deployed in Iraq and the surrounding nations, and any criticism of our nation’s policy in the region must not be interpreted as lack of support for the men and women in our armed forces whose bravery is on display each day as they risk their lives, and

Whereas, approximately 2,300 Vermont National Guard troops have served in Iraq since March of 2003, and

Whereas, Vermont has had the highest number of soldiers per capita who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives in this war, and

Whereas, approximately 80 Vermont National Guard troops are now deployed in Iraq, and more could be deployed in the coming months if the Bush Administration policies continue in the current direction, and

Whereas, at the time the Iraq conflict started in March 2003, the American public was told that the primary reason for this incursion was to eliminate weapons of mass destruction that the Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein, had allegedly stockpiled, and it has been since documented that no weapons of mass destruction were stockpiled in Iraq at the time the American military forces entered that country, and

Whereas, it is now apparent that the U.S. Department of Defense did not develop an exit strategy prior to the invasion, falsely assuming that the Iraqi people would welcome United States forces with open arms, and that withdrawal would not be a difficult problem, and

Whereas, the continuing and daily onslaught of sectarian violence and indications of ethnic cleansing in some areas of the nation have proven disruptive to nearly all aspects of Iraqi society, and

Whereas, over 3,000 American military personnel have died since March 2003, and

Whereas, many Vermont veterans have returned home from Iraq and the region with significant unmet physical and mental health care needs, and

Whereas, the cost of this war according to the Congressional Research Service is at least $379 billion, and

Whereas, based on the state’s population, Vermont’s share of the cost exceeds $750 million, and

Whereas, these costs will have a significant impact on Vermont households and the Vermont state budget process for years to come, and

Whereas, the Bush Administration recently called for and has started to implement an escalation in the number of American military troops actively engaged in Iraq,

Whereas, despite the opposition, reservations, or concerns of many Vermonters, including members of the House of Representatives, it remains a strong possibility that the proposed troop surge will continue, now therefore be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives:

That this legislative body believes that an escalation of American troops in Iraq is exactly the wrong foreign policy direction, and be it further

Resolved: That if, in fact, the troop surge continues that the House of Representatives prays for our troops safe and swift return, and that we wish them success in their mission to stabilize Iraq, and be it further

Resolved:  That this legislative body urges Governor Douglas to enlist the support of other members of the National Governors Association to speak out against the war in Iraq and the announced troop surge and to support a withdrawal from Iraq of American troops, and be it further  

Resolved:  That this legislative body urges the President and Congress to commence immediately the orderly withdrawal of American military forces from Iraq, and be it further

Resolved:  That this legislative body calls on the Bush Administration and Congress to fund fully all veterans’ benefits to care appropriately for our brave men and women when they return from this war, and be it further

Resolved:  That the clerk of the house be directed to send a copy of this resolution to Governor Douglas, the President of the United States, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, and the Vermont Congressional Delegation.

____________________________              Attested to:

Gaye R. Symington

Speaker of the House

                                                                      ____________________________

                                                                      Donald G. Milne

                                                                      Clerk, House of Representatives

Published by:

The Vermont General Assembly
115 State Street
Montpelier, Vermont

www.leg.state.vt.us