BILL REQ. #:  S-1322.1 

Read first time .   Referred to .

     TO THE HONORABLE GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED:
     We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:
     WHEREAS, The Washington National Guard has served Washington since territorial times; and
     WHEREAS, Nearly 8,600 men and women of the Washington National Guard continue to serve the state and the country, at home and abroad; and
     WHEREAS, The Guard serves Washington in a multitude of ways that are particular to our region, local communities, and to our state; and
     WHEREAS, The Guard adds value to our communities by opening its readiness centers to the public for use as food banks, and other community and youth activities; and
     WHEREAS, The Guard promotes positive lifestyles and activities for Washington's youth through involvement in and support of highly effective drug prevention programs; and
     WHEREAS, The Guard supports local law enforcement agencies; and
     WHEREAS, The Guard prepares and trains to provide relief during emergencies and natural disasters that may befall Washington; and
     WHEREAS, Much of the responsiveness of the Guard in the event of such emergencies depends on its status as a state entity; and
     WHEREAS, The federalization of the Washington Air and Army National Guard would undermine its effectiveness and virtue as an integral part of the great state of Washington;
     NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully request that the President and Congress do not federalize the Washington Air and Army National Guard so that it may continue to serve our state in its unique capacity.
     BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable George W. Bush, President of the United States, the Secretary of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.