SENATE RESOLUTION

                         1997-8655

By Senator Oke, Hochstatter, Rossi, Swecker, Fairley, Winsley, Swanson, Roach, Goings and Rasmussen

     WHEREAS, The 448th Civil Affairs Battalion is an Army Reserve unit located on Ft. 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 battle field but continues through the restructuring of civilian and governmental institutions, rebuilding of societies, resettlement of displaced civilians, and restoration of essential services such as medical, infrastructure, and governmental 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 by its outstanding work in helping to 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 U.S. 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 Washington State Senate of this Fifty‑fifth Legislature honors 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 recognizes them for their outstanding service as citizen‑soldiers of the great State of Washington.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Commander of the 448th Civil Affairs Battalion at Ft. Lewis, Washington.

I, Mike O=Connell, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 1997-8655,

adopted by the Senate April 11, 1997.

MIKE O=CONNELL

Secretary of the Senate