SENATE RESOLUTION
8676
By Senator Short
WHEREAS, Dave Eubank served his country as an Army Special Forces and Ranger officer; and
WHEREAS, He founded the Free Burma Rangers, a humanitarian service movement for oppressed ethnic minorities of all races and religions; and
WHEREAS, He and his wife Karen and three children: Sahale, Suuzanne, and Peter work alongside 70 relief teams comprised of men and women of different ethnicities and faiths united for freedom by a bond of love and service; and
WHEREAS, On June 2, 2017, Dave led a group of volunteer aid workers providing humanitarian relief and medical aid to civilians in Mosul, Iraq; and
WHEREAS, Days before, ISIS fighters had gunned down 30 to 40 civilians trying to flee their neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, After hearing from victims that there were still survivors, Dave and the Free Burma Rangers worked with a team of American and Iraqi soldiers to rescue them; and
WHEREAS, U.S. forces dropped smoke canisters to conceal Dave as he ran through ISIS fire to save a young girl and bring her to safety; and
WHEREAS, Photos and videos of the rescue have grabbed national headlines, and show the bravery and courage humanitarians like Dave and the Free Burma Rangers exemplify every day on the front lines of conflicts around the world; and
WHEREAS, U.S. and Iraqi military forces continue to fight for the peace and prosperity of the innocent civilians threatened by ISIS forces;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate recognize Dave Eubank and his family for their heroic efforts in Mosul and the Free Burma Rangers for their dedication to bring help, hope, and love to the people of Burma, Sudan, and Kurdistan, Iraq.