WHEREAS, the Continental Army was born on June 14, 1775, by consolidating scattered militias, which included the elite quick-acting “minute men” who had been trained under a British mandate to be ready to defend the Crown and placed under the command of General George Washington; and

WHEREAS, the Continental Army would evolve into the Regular Army by action of the Congress of the Confederation on June 3, 1784, and the Regular Army would be reorganized as the Legion of the United States, established in 1791, and finally renamed the United States Army in 1796; and

WHEREAS, the United States Army has fought in every military conflict since its conception, including the War of 1812, the Seminole Wars, the Spanish-American War of 1898, both World Wars, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Grenada conflict, Desert Shield and Desert Storm, the Battle of Mogadishu, the War on Terrorism that began on September 11, 2001, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom; and

WHEREAS, after the Vietnam War, three components of the Army evolved into the Regular Army, the Army National Guard, and the Army Reserve – as a single force; and

WHEREAS, the United States Army serves as the primary land-based branch of the United States Department of Defense, established by law as “preserving the peace and security and providing for the defense of the United States, the Commonwealths, and possessions, including any areas occupied by the United States; supporting the national policies; implementing the national objectives; and overcoming any nations responsible for aggressive acts that imperil the peace and security of the United States”; and

WHEREAS, the recent boost in recruiting has increased the force strength of the United States Army to 461,657 members, the Army National Guard to 329,705 members, and the Army Reserve to 171,171 members; and

WHEREAS, the Army has faced many difficult challenges over 250 years, and while it stands as the premier fighting force in the world, we cannot forget the existential threats facing our service members around the world and at home; now

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Republican Party of Texas affirms that all citizens of the United States owe the United States Army and all of its active-duty members, veterans, and all personnel, throughout the centuries, who have sacrificed – some who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our protection – a huge debt of gratitude; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Republican Party of Texas wishes the United States Army a very Happy 250th Birthday, and proclaims that this birthday should remind us of the Army’s resilience and resolve to keep our country safe while protecting our freedoms, our Constitution, and our way of life.

Hooah!