SJR66

A Joint Resolution urging the New Jersey Congressional delegation to support “Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act.”

Whereas, The United States military has officially trained military working dogs for use by the armed forces since 1942; and

Whereas, Military working dogs have been relied upon to provide life saving support during World War II, the Korean conflict, the Vietnam conflict, Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, as well as the recent military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and many other military and security operations; and

Whereas, In addition to the Armed Forces, military working dogs also provide support to the Secret Service, the Central Intelligence Agency, and the Transportation Security Administration, all of which aim to protect the United States from those who wish to do harm; and

Whereas, The elite military unit known as “Seal Team Six” was accompanied by a highly trained military working dog, named Cairo, on the May 2, 2011 night raid on the compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan that resulted in the killing of Osama Bin Laden; and

Whereas, Extensive research has been performed by the Pentagon attempting to perfect bomb detection technology, but no technology has bested the canine’s ability to alert the military to the presence of explosives; and

Whereas, The importance of these military working dogs is now known to enemies of the United States, and these loyal, invaluable canines are now regularly targeted by enemy combatants in an effort to undermine the ability of the military to operate effectively; and

Whereas, A national monument honoring military working dogs will be unveiled in California in January 2013, and will honor all military working dogs who have served in combat since World War II; and

Whereas, Since 1943, the United Kingdom has issued the “Dickin Medal” 64 times award to honor animals who display conspicuous gallantry or devotion when used by the British military; and

Whereas, The United States Congress is currently considering S.2134, the “Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act,” which requires the Secretary of Defense to create a decoration to recognize those military working dogs that are killed in action or perform an exceptionally meritorious or courageous act in service to the United States; and

Whereas, The “Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act,” also establishes more effective ways for military working dogs to be adopted and cared for after the canine’s service has concluded; and

Whereas, In consideration of the countless lives of American soldiers saved by military working dogs of the United States, and in honor of the great valor with which these canines serve, the Governor and Legislature of the State of New Jersey believe it only fitting that the New Jersey Congressional delegation strongly support the “Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act”; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. The Governor and Legislature of the State of New Jersey urges the New Jersey Congressional delegation to support the “Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act.”

2. Duly authenticated copies of this joint resolution shall be transmitted to each member of Congress elected from this State.

3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This resolution urges the New Jersey Congressional delegation to support the federal “Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act.” This bill requires the Secretary of Defense to create a decoration or other appropriate recognition to recognize those military working dogs that are killed in action or perform an exceptionally meritorious or courageous act in service to the United States. In addition, the bill establishes more effective means for military working dogs to be adopted and cared for after the canine’s service has concluded. Military working dogs are an invaluable asset to the armed forces and various governmental agencies in the United States. These military working dogs fearlessly protect the well-being of members of the armed forces, and provide invaluable assistance in the detection of enemies and explosives.

Military working dogs have been relied upon to provide life saving support during World War II, the Korean conflict, the Vietnam conflict, Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, as well as the recent military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and many other military and security operations. For example, on the night of May 2, 2011, the elite military unit known as “Seal Team Six” was accompanied by a highly trained military working dog, named Cairo, during the raid of the compound in Pakistan which resulted in the killing of Osama Bin Laden.

The value of these canines to the armed forces is now known to enemies of the United States. As such, these honorable dogs routinely face great danger in combat and are targeted for assassination. In honor of this service and dedication, the New Jersey Congressional delegation is urged to strongly support the federal “Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act.”