FIRST REGULAR SESSION

House Concurrent Resolution No. 6

93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

0653L.01I

      Whereas, the security of our nation and people is the first and foremost obligation of our United States federal government; and

            Whereas, the men and women of our United States armed forces now serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines, National Guard and Reserves have shown great courage and self-sacrifice and deserve to be equipped with the best weapons and resources to protect our nation; and

            Whereas, in past years, politicians have delayed passing the defense appropriations bill until late in the budget year so that the defense appropriations bill was misused as a dumping ground for pork barrel spending and as a political hostage to pork barrel spending in other appropriations bills; and

            Whereas, in the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, on America, President Bush asked that the United States Congress pass the defense appropriations bill before passing other spending bills; and

            Whereas, Congress acted responsibly in the 2002, 2003, and 2004 budgets when it passed the defense appropriations bill first, thereby protecting the men and women of our armed forces from becoming pawns for politicians' spending maneuvers:

Now, therefore, be it resolved that we, the members of the Missouri House of Representatives, Ninety-third General Assembly, commend the United States Congress for making our nation's defense its first priority in 2002, 2003, and 2004, and request that the Representatives and Senators from the State of Missouri continue this important tradition by passing and enacting the defense appropriations legislation before all other spending bills in 2004 and in future years; and

            Be it further resolved that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives be instructed to prepare a properly inscribed copy of this resolution for each member of the Missouri Congressional Delegation.