I'm very excited to be promoting K-9 Veterans Day March 13.
One of the most pressing topics on my plate currently is House Resolution (H. Res.740) Designating March 13 as K-9 Veterans’ Day sponsored by Congressman Gary Peters (D-MI).
The 112th United States Congress is currently in recess and will end January 3, 2013, 17 days before the end of the presidential term so time is of an essence.
As A Backup Plan, I am asking all of the Patch Communities to obtain Proclamations from all Three Levels of Government: Federal, State, And Local to Designate March 13 As K-9 Veterans’Day which is when the United States Army Quartermaster Corps was established the K-9 Corps in 1942.
You can pattern your Proclamation like this:
H.RES.740 -- Expressing support for the designation of March 13 as `K-9 Veterans Day', in order to recognize the service and improve the treatment of military working dogs. (Introduced in House - IH)
RESOLUTION Expressing support for the designation of March 13 as `K-9 Veterans Day', in order to recognize the service and improve the treatment of military working dogs.
Whereas, on March 13, 1942, the Quartermaster Corps of the United States Army began training dogs for a newly established War Dog Program, or K-9 Corps;
Whereas military working dogs and their handlers have served the United States since World War I in roles such as sentry duty, search and rescue, detection of explosives and narcotics, border protection, and other military and law enforcement duties;
Whereas, in 1921, General John Pershing awarded a gold medal to `Sgt. Stubby', a military working dog, and the dog visited the White House in 1921 to meet President Harding and in 1924 to meet President Coolidge;
Whereas `Chips', a German Shepherd-Collie-Siberian Husky who valiantly served with the Third Infantry Division during World War II, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, and Purple Heart for taking actions that saved lives in his unit;
Whereas `Chips' awards were revoked due to Army policy;
Whereas over 10,000 military working dogs were trained at War Dog Centers during World War II;
Whereas Federal, State, and municipal law enforcement agencies utilize working dogs to achieve their missions and protect our communities;
Whereas K-9 veterans have saved countless lives at home and abroad in service to United States military and law enforcement agencies;
Whereas, today, over 2,300 military working dogs are deployed worldwide in support of the Global War on Terrorism;
Whereas the United States has increasingly relied on military working dogs due to their unique skills and capabilities; and
Whereas retired military working dogs have successfully transitioned to roles as pets and therapy dogs: Now, therefore, be it
-
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
-
-
(1) supports the designation of `K-9 Veterans Day'; and
-
-
(2) supports efforts to recognize the service of military working dogs and their handlers.
