2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE
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2023 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 61
August 9, 2023 - Introduced by Senators WIMBERGER, BALLWEG, BRADLEY,
CABRAL-GUEVARA, COWLES, HESSELBEIN, JAMES, KNODL, MARKLEIN, NASS,
PFAFF, SPREITZER and WANGGAARD, cosponsored by Representatives KURTZ,
PENTERMAN, C. ANDERSON, BEHNKE, BRANDTJEN, CALLAHAN, CONLEY, DITTRICH,
DONOVAN, EDMING, GOEBEN, GUNDRUM, GUSTAFSON, S. JOHNSON, KITCHENS,
MICHALSKI, MURSAU, O'CONNOR, ORTIZ-VELEZ, RATCLIFF, RETTINGER, SCHMIDT,
SCHRAA, SHANKLAND, SINICKI, SPIROS, TITTL, TRANEL and TUSLER. Referred to
Committee on Senate Organization.
1 Relating to: honoring 50 years of volunteer service in the U.S. Armed Forces.
2 Whereas, on January 27, 1973, the U.S. military officially ended the draft and
3 transitioned to an all-volunteer force; and
4 Whereas, the U.S. Armed Forces have successfully fulfilled the military needs
5 of the United States in the 50 years since, solely on the basis of voluntary service; and
6 Whereas, an all-volunteer force has been used in all military conflicts since
7 1973, including Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and
8 Operation Iraqi Freedom; and
9 Whereas, according to the U.S. Department of Defense, since the end of military
10 conscription in 1973 more than 11 million have joined active duty service, and today
11 more than 1.5 million men and women serve across the total force; and
12 Whereas, voluntary service in the U.S. Armed Forces provides men and women
13 with training, career mobility, financial benefits, community, connection, and
14 common purpose; and
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1 Whereas, the U.S. Department of Defense reports that the U.S. military's
2 retention numbers are “outstanding,” with every service exceeding 100 percent of its
3 goals last year; and
4 Whereas, the all-volunteer Armed Forces are the most professional and
5 capable military in the world and have been instrumental in preserving the freedoms
6 and values of the United States; and
7 Whereas, the volunteer service of the men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces
8 represents a tradition of patriotism and sacrifice that is a vital part of the American
9 spirit; now, therefore, be it
10 Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the members of the
11 Wisconsin Legislature recognize and honor the sacrifices, contributions, and
12 achievements of those who have volunteered to serve in the United States Armed
13 Forces over the last 50 years.
14 (END)