HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 97-4658, by Representatives Cairnes, D. Sommers, McDonald, Radcliff, Lambert, Ballasiotes, D. Schmidt, Sehlin, Honeyford, Smith, DeBolt, Van Luven, L. Thomas, Hatfield, Conway, Cooke, Wolfe and Sullivan

      WHEREAS, The 448th Civil Affairs Battalion is an Army Reserve unit located on Fort Lewis and made up of citizen-soldiers from the state of Washington; and

      WHEREAS, The mission of the 448th Civil Affairs Battalion is of long-term importance which does not end with victory on the battlefield, but continues through the restructuring of civilian and governmental institutions, rebuilding of societies, resettlement of displaced civilians, and helping restore essential services such as medical, infrastructure, and government in areas devastated by war, insurrection, and natural disaster; and

      WHEREAS, The 448th Civil Affairs Battalion was activated by President Clinton and sent to the Republic of Haiti to assist in Operation Uphold Democracy in January 1995, returning to a tumultuous welcome on July 1, 1995, at McChord Air Force Base; and

      WHEREAS, The 448th Civil Affairs Battalion brought great credit upon itself and the state of Washington with its outstanding work in helping restore services and democracy in the Republic of Haiti through the numerous awards and recognition received from commanders in Haiti including one of the Army's highest unit awards, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award; and

      WHEREAS, The 448th Civil Affairs Battalion continues their peace-keeping work throughout the Pacific Rim in countries as diverse as Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Cambodia, and Australia as well as the Persian Gulf, Central America, Haiti, and the former Yugoslavia as part of the United States Army Special Operations Forces and always remains on call and ready to go anywhere, anytime they are needed;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor the soldiers and families of the 448th Civil Affairs Battalion for its work on behalf of peace and democracy in the Republic of Haiti and throughout the world, and recognize them for their outstanding service as citizen-soldiers of the great state of Washington; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to the Commander of the 448th Civil Affairs Battalion at Fort Lewis, Washington.

      I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of

      Resolution 4658 adopted by the House of Representatives

                          April 11, 1997.

                 ________________________________

                  Timothy A. Martin, Chief Clerk