THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY MELIO, FAIRCHILD, BAKER, BEAR, BELFANTI, BOBACK, BRENNAN, CALTAGIRONE, D. COSTA, CRUZ, DONATUCCI, FREEMAN, GEIST, GEORGE, GOODMAN, GRUCELA, HESS, HORNAMAN, KORTZ, KULA, MAJOR, MANN, MARSHALL, MILLER, MILNE, MIRABITO, OBERLANDER, M. O'BRIEN, PALLONE, PASHINSKI, PAYNE, READSHAW, REICHLEY, SAINATO, SANTONI, SAYLOR, SEIP, SIPTROTH, STABACK, SWANGER, TRUE AND VULAKOVICH, NOVEMBER 5, 2009

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, NOVEMBER 5, 2009  

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing the invaluable contributions of war dog teams to

United States military efforts since World War I.

WHEREAS, Over the course of our nation's military history,

tens of thousands of war dogs served during World War I, World

War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Bosnia, Iraq and

Afghanistan, and they continue to serve our military missions

around the globe; and

WHEREAS, War dogs have a legendary history for bravery on

thousands of foreign battlefields, where they have saved

countless American lives; and

WHEREAS, Some military analysts estimate as many as 10,000

United States and allied soldiers were saved during the Vietnam

War alone; and

WHEREAS, The casualty rates in all other wars were

significantly reduced by thousands as a result of deploying war

dogs; and

WHEREAS, These animals have performed specialty duties as

scout, sentry and tracker and have completed demolition, tunnel,

water patrol, coast guard, search and rescue and explosive

detection missions; and

WHEREAS, As highly trained and proficient four-legged

soldiers, marines, airmen and sailors, war dogs have never been

mascots; and

WHEREAS, War dogs have worked for food, water and the love

and companionship of their handlers; and

WHEREAS, War dogs, like other military heroes, have never

given up on the battlefield; and

WHEREAS, Bristol Township erected the Pennsylvania State

Memorial to honor these splendid animal heroes which should be

designated the official war dog memorial; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the

invaluable contributions of war dog teams to United States

military efforts since World War I.