SENATE RESOLUTION

                            8624

By Senators Roach, Fairley, Sheldon, T., Rasmussen, Hale, Benton, Kline, Jacobsen, Zarelli, West, Hewitt, Parlette, Winsley, Honeyford, Horn, Franklin, Patterson, Constantine, Kohl-Welles, Finkbeiner, Oke, Long, Stevens, Sheldon, B., Kastama, Costa, Haugen, Gardner, Johnson, Carlson, Hochstatter, Swecker, Morton, Rossi, Regala, Fraser, Thibaudeau, Spanel, Eide, Sheahan and Shin

     WHEREAS, The citizen soldiers of the Washington Army National Guard have served the citizens of the state of Washington with honor, selfless duty and courage for many years; and

     WHEREAS, The Washington Army National Guard has an increased role of integration and service in conjunction with the active duty forces of the United States of America throughout the world; and

     WHEREAS, The Troop Command major command of the Washington Army National Guard maintains, equips, and trains key units which includes the 248^th Rear Area Operations Center headquartered in Port Orchard, Washington; and

     WHEREAS, The 248^th Rear Area Operations Center was activated to federal service on July 20, 2000, under the Presidential Reserve Select Call-up, to service in the Balkans area of Skojpe, Macedonia, as part of the United States component of the Kosovo Forces (KFOR) Peacekeeping Operations; and

     WHEREAS, The 248^th Rear Area Operations Center operated Camp Able Sentry on a day-to-day basis the major base of operations for all U. S. Forces in the region as part of Task Force Falcon.  The 248^th Rear Area Operations Center soldiers worked long and dedicated hours in completing their assigned missions, as noted by the Unit Commander=s report, which stated, AThe situation in Kosovo continues to improve.  Our fellow soldiers there are providing a safe and secure environment to assist the United Nations in rebuilding the country.  They are making progress every day.  Virtually all forms of violent crime have seen significant decreases over the past year.  Our effort has fostered an environment that has allowed the Kosovo people to vote in elections for the first time in many years.  The people (of Kosovo) have spoken loud and clear in support of democratic change.@; and

     WHEREAS, The 248^th completed their service on behalf of the United States, and the state of Washington by completion of their duties in Kosovo in returning to Washington State on February 9, 2001;

     THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate of the state of Washington honors the Officers, Non-commissioned Officers and Soldiers of the 248^th Rear Area Operations Center of the Washington Army National Guard; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate extends its collective appreciation specifically to Major General Timothy Lowenberg, Adjutant General State of Washington; Col. Terry Oxley, Commander, Troop Command, Washington Army National Guard;  Lt. Col. John Shaughnessy, Commander, 248^th Rear Area Operations Center; Command Sergeant Major William Barkley; and all the men and women of the 248^th Rear Area Operations Center for their selfless, professional and honorable service to our nation and state; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Secretary of the Senate immediately transmit copies of this resolution to the Governor, the Adjutant General, and the Officers, NCO=s, and soldiers of the 248^th Rear Area Operations Center, Washington Army National Guard.

I, Tony M. Cook, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 2001-8624,

adopted by the Senate February 23, 2001.

TONY M. COOK

Secretary of the Senate