HR 4020
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4020
To recognize the extraordinary performance of the Armed Forces
in achieving the military objectives of the United States in Iraq, to
encourage the President to issue a proclamation calling upon the people
of the United States to observe a national day of celebration commemorating
military success in Iraq, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 31, 2007
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas (for herself, Mr. FILNER, and Mr. HASTINGS of
Florida) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee
on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs
and Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the
Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within
the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To recognize the extraordinary performance of the Armed Forces
in achieving the military objectives of the United States in Iraq, to
encourage the President to issue a proclamation calling upon the people
of the United States to observe a national day of celebration commemorating
military success in Iraq, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Military Success in Iraq Commemoration Act
of 2007'.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The invasion of Iraq by the United States Armed Forces was one of
the best executed military operations in the history of modern warfare.
(2) The Armed Forces successfully toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein
and captured the key cities of a large nation in only 21 days.
(3) The Armed Forces in Iraq performed magnificently in capturing or
killing key enemies of the United States, including key operatives of
al Qaida; Tariq Aziz, the former deputy prime-minister of Iraq; Uday
Hussein and Qusay Hussein, the sons of Saddam Hussein and two of the
regime's most accomplished practitioners of cruelty, barbarism, and
terror; Ali Hassan al-Majid, better known as `Chemical Ali'; and the
dictator of Baghdad himself, Saddam Hussein.
(4) Because of the skill and dedication of the members of the Armed
Forces, the entire world has now been assured that Iraq does not possess
weapons of mass destruction that could threaten the United States or
any member nation of the international community.
(5) The success of the military operations conducted by the Armed Forces
in Iraq and the deposing of Saddam Hussein removed a significant threat
to the security of United States allies in the Middle East region.
(6) The Armed Forces performed magnificently in conducting military
operations designed to ensure that the people of Iraq enjoy the benefits
of a democratically-elected government governing a county that is capable
of sustaining itself economically and politically and defending itself
militarily.
(7) Since March 2003, the Armed Forces have trained more 160,000 Iraqi
security personnel.
(8) In June 2004, the Armed Forces facilitated the transfer of sovereignty
from the Coalition Provisional Authority to the interim Government of
Iraq, which governed Iraq until December 2005 when national elections
were held in which more than 8 million Iraqi men and women voted in
elections that were free and fair.
(9) In October 2005, Saddam Hussein was captured by the Armed Forces
and turned over to the Government of Iraq to stand trial on charges
of crimes against humanity.
SEC. 3. DECLARATIONS OF POLICY CONCERNING ACHIEVEMENT OF THE OBJECTIVES
OF THE AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF MILITARY FORCE AGAINST IRAQ RESOLUTION
OF 2002.
Congress makes the following declarations of policy:
(1) The Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution
of 2002 (Public Law 107-243; approved on October 16, 2002) is the basis
of authority pursuant to which the President launched the invasion of
Iraq in March 2003.
(2) Public Law 107-243 authorized the President to use military force
against Iraq to achieve the following two objectives:
(A) To defend the national security of the United States--
(i) by disarming Iraq of any weapons of mass destruction that could
threaten the security of the United States and international peace
in the Persian Gulf region;
(ii) by ensuring that the regime of Saddam Hussein would not provide
weapons of mass destruction to international terrorists, including
al Qaida;
(iii) by changing the Iraqi regime so that Saddam Hussein and his
Baathist regime no longer pose a threat to the people of Iraq or
Iraq's neighbors; and
(iv) by bringing to justice any members of al Qaida bearing responsibility
for the attacks on the United States, its citizens, and interests,
including the attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, known
or found to be in Iraq.
(B) To enforce all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions
regarding Iraq.
(3) The objectives of Public Law 107-243 described in subparagraphs
(A) and (B) of paragraph (2) have in fact been achieved.
SEC. 4. PROCLAMATION FOR NATIONAL DAY OF CELEBRATION COMMEMORATING MILITARY
SUCCESS IN IRAQ.
Congress encourages the President to issue a proclamation calling upon
the people of the United States to observe a national day of celebration
commemorating military success in Iraq.
SEC. 5. GRANTS FOR STATE AND LOCAL ACTIVITIES COMMEMORATING MILITARY
SUCCESS IN IRAQ.
(a) Grants- The Secretary of Defense may award grants to State and local
governments for the following purposes:
(1) To conduct suitable activities commemorating military success in
Iraq.
(2) To create appropriate memorials honoring those who lost their lives
securing military success in Iraq.
(b) Authorization- There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary
of Defense such funds as may be necessary to carry out this section.
SEC. 6. GRANTS FOR VETERANS OF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM.
(a) Grants- The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall award to each veteran
of Operation Iraqi Freedom a grant in the amount of $5,000. The purpose
of the grant is to facilitate the veteran's transition to civilian life.
(b) Authorization- There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs such funds as may be necessary to carry out this section.
END
