Sample Resolutions to BRING OREGON'S TROOPS HOME NOW!

(1)Resolution from Military Families Speak Out and Gold Star Families for Peace, groups of military families opposed to the war (presented to members of Oregon's Legislature from February to June, 2005, but not passed);

(2)Resolution from the Multnomah County Democratic Central Committee, the Democratic Party organization in the County that includes Portland (passed unanimously Feb. 11, 2005).

Also see (links to separate pages):
(3) Oregon's AFL-CIO voted on October 16, 2005 to pass a resolution in solidarity with Iraq's unions, which calls for Oregon's national guard to come home immediately.

(4) Oregonians Against the War have a sample resolution for organizations to endorse calling on Governor Kulongoski to bring the National Guard home (last updated March, 2006).

(5) A Corvallis City Council resolution was passed on February 21, 2006 calling for an "orderly, rapid, and comprehensive withdrawal of United States military personnel from Iraq," and noting that "the federalization and deployment of Oregon National Guard members to the war in Iraq threatens the safety and well being of the citizens of Corvallis." It was sent to the Governor as well as Oregon's congressional delegation and the White House.
It was a based on a Resolution for Benton County/Corvallis to bring the troops home via HJR 55 beginning no later than Oct. 1, 2006, connected with the Benton County Democrats.

(6) On November 30, 2006, on a 5-0 vote, Portland's City Council passed a resolution calling for the troops to come home in order to fund human needs. This victory was a result of work done by Peace and Justice Works' Iraq Affinity Group and the American Friends Service Committee, among others. See the proposed resolution for ideas of language that was originally brought forward by the community.

(7)In mid-February, 2007 Oregon State House Joint Memorial 9 was published, urging the President not to send more troops to Iraq and calling for a withdrawal to begin "as soon as possible." A number of state legislators, including four who endorsed the Portland City Council resolution, sponsored or signed onto this Memorial (Reps. Chip Shields, Mitch Greenlick and Diane Rosenbaum, and Sen. Avel Gordly). 21 other legislators' names were originally also attached to the Memorial.
The Peace and Justice Works Iraq Affinity Group, collaborating with the American Friends Service Committee, Military Families Speak Out-Oregon, and Rural Organizing Project among others, crafted a proposed statewide resolution in Oregon calling for the troops to come home, based on the Portland City Council resolution.

(8)On March 12, 2007, the Eugene City Council passed a resolution calling for the U.S. Government to immediately commence a withdrawal of United States military personnel from Iraq, and for Congress to only approve further funds to carry out a safe, rapid and orderly withdrawal and Iraqi reconstruction efforts.

Resolution Calling for the Withdrawal of Oregon's National Guard Troops from Iraq and Afghanistan:

Whereas, all conditions underlying PL 107-243 (10/16/02) authorizing military action against Iraq either have been proven false and all U.S. troops who are serving or have served in Iraq were sent to war for reasons that have been proven false;

Whereas, the Governor and State Legislature of Oregon have a particular responsibility to the members of the Oregon National Guard, their families and to the community that they serve;

Whereas, the Oregon National Guard was created for the protection of the citizens of Oregon from natural disasters or threats of violence within the state boundaries, as well as to protect the sovereignty of US borders;

Whereas, Oregon's National Guard troops have been called up in unprecedented numbers, at the highest per capita level of any state, to serve on active duty in both Iraq and Afghanistan;

Whereas, absent the deployment of U.S. forces to Iraq, there would be no need for the use of National Guard troops in Afghanistan;

Whereas, Oregon National Guard troops have been poorly equipped and have received only rudimentary training for service in these wars, and are therefore suffering casualties at rates considerably higher than those of regular Army troops;

Whereas, Oregon's National Guard troops are being subjected to unfair and involuntary extensions of duty well beyond the terms of their enlistment contracts, and their families, employers and communities have had to bear the hardship of accommodating the prolonged absence of the Guard members;

Whereas, the National Guard at home in Oregon has been decimated by the mobilization of our troops for these foreign wars, and whereas, a disproportionate number of National Guard members, in civilian life, serve as police officers, firefighters, EMT personnel, prison guards, etc., their absence has left our own communities vulnerable and ill-prepared for any natural disaster or terrorist attack within our own state borders;

Whereas, fewer and fewer Oregonians are willing to enlist in the National Guard because of the inappropriate use and unfair treatment of Guard troops by the US Defense Department and Army, leaving the likelihood that Oregon could be left unprotected for years to come;

Therefore be it Resolved: That the Legislative Assembly of the State of Oregon calls upon the Governor to exercise his power as Commander of the Oregon National Guard to immediately bring, or cause to be brought home, all Oregon National Guard troops presently serving in Iraq or Afghanistan, or in training for those wars.

Presented by: Michele Deford and Eric Blickenstaff on behalf of Military Families Speak Out and Gold Star Families for Peace

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Multnomah County Democrats

Whereas, the number of deaths of National Guard members continues to increase and

whereas the National Guard is for the protection of the sovereignty of US borders, and

whereas, under the heading National priorities of the platform and legislative agenda, item 12 state "We oppose the use of the National Guard overseas"; and

whereas, the Governor of the state, by virtues of the office, is the peacetime Commander-In Chief of the militia and may issue lawful regulations of its governance; and

whereas, absent the formal Declaration of War, the President cannot call the National Guard without the Governor's compliance;

therefore resolved, the Multnomah county Democratic Central Committee calls on the Governor to bring the National Guard troops home at once.