PRINTER'S NO. 2114
No. 325 Session of 2003
INTRODUCED BY TIGUE, SEMMEL AND BELARDI, JUNE 18, 2003
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
JUNE 18, 2003
A RESOLUTION
1 Commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Modern Volunteer Army
2 Program.
3 WHEREAS, On July 1, 2003, the United States Army is
4 celebrating 30 years of service to our nation as an all-
5 volunteer army; and
6 WHEREAS, Recruiting battalions in Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and
7 Philadelphia, with more than 83 career centers, are
8 commemorating this day with pride and patriotism; and
9 WHEREAS, The United States Army strives to raise awareness of
10 its contributions to this Commonwealth and our nation; and
11 WHEREAS, Pennsylvania has a history of volunteering to defend
12 this Commonwealth and our nation; and
13 WHEREAS, It was Pennsylvania that was the first to raise
14 volunteers to support our nation's fight for freedom; and
15 WHEREAS, It was Pennsylvanians who volunteered to join the
16 newly formed Continental Army's Pennsylvania Line, 13 regiments
17 which fought in every major battle of the Revolution; and
1 WHEREAS, More than 6,000 Pennsylvanians annually continue to
2 volunteer to enlist in the Army and the Army Reserve; and
3 WHEREAS, Today's all-volunteer Army started with a campaign
4 promise by President Richard M. Nixon in 1968 to end the draft;
5 and
6 WHEREAS, The Modern Volunteer Army (MVA) took shape through
7 the Gates Commission and Secretary of Defense Melvin R. Laird's
8 decision that all-volunteer recruiting under the MVA Program
9 begin July 1, 1973; therefore be it
10 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives commemorate July
11 1, 2003, as the 30th anniversary of the Modern Volunteer Army
12 Program.
F17L82RLE/20030H0325R2114 - 2 -