SENATE RESOLUTION

                         1991-8653

By Senators Matson, Oke, Rasmussen, Hansen, Thorsness and Cantu

     WHEREAS, For the sake of world peace, freedom, and justice, the one hundred nine individuals who make up the Yakima-based Marine reserve unit known as the "Bravo Company" put their plans, their careers and their lives on hold to fight aggression in the Middle East; and

     WHEREAS, As part of an unprecedented international coalition in Operation Desert Storm, the Bravo Company played an integral role in achieving a stunning victory over the forces of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein; and

     WHEREAS, The Bravo Company, assigned to the 1st Battalion of the 8th Marines, is credited with the capture of hundreds of Iraqi prisoners and with the destruction of one hundred nineteen Iraqi war vehicles, including fifty-six Soviet-made T-72 tanks issued only to Iraq's Republican Guard; and

     WHEREAS, Long before hostilities ended in the Middle East, Bravo Company's fourteen tank crews made their way to Kuwait City to see the liberation of a people and to take part in establishing the rule of law over tyranny and aggression; and

     WHEREAS, Through their efforts, members of the Bravo Company established themselves as heroes in the age-old struggle to forge a world blessed with the promise of peace, freedom, and respect for human rights;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That, with great pride, the Washington State Senate honors with gratitude each of the one hundred nine members of the Bravo Company for their valiant service in the hard work of freedom; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That members of the Washington State Senate  hereby join communities throughout Washington in welcoming home the friends and neighbors who so selflessly served us all as members of the Bravo Company; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Secretary of the Senate immediately transmit copies of this resolution to commanders of the Bravo Company, to the adjutant general of the Washington National Guard, and to the Honorable George Bush, President of the United States.

I, Gordon A. Golob, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 1991-8653,

adopted by the Senate April 15,1991.

GORDON A. GOLOB

Secretary of the Senate