00CS FOR SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 24(STA) am                                                                         
01 Relating to the Kosovo conflict and to Alaskans serving in the military forces in                                       
02 the area of the conflict.                                                                                               
03 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                              
04  WHEREAS Slobodan Milosevic has embarked upon a policy of ethnic cleansing of                                         
05 Albanians in Kosovo, Yugoslavia; and                                                                                    
06  WHEREAS the actions of the Serbian military forces are a humanitarian disaster in                                    
07 the making and are not acceptable in the civilized world; and                                                           
08  WHEREAS the armed forces of the United States are currently participating in the                                     
09 campaign against Serbian forces in Kosovo to stop the ethnic cleansing activities; and                                  
10  WHEREAS many of the United States troops that will be sent to the Balkans will be                                    
11 pulled away from civilian lives at great personal sacrifice; and                                                        
12  WHEREAS the Allied troops will be expected to endure many uncertainties and                                          
13 hardships caused by separation from their loved ones for months while stationed in the harsh                            
14 conditions of the Balkan region; and                                                                                    

01  WHEREAS the tremendous humanitarian effort being taken by the Allied military                                        
02 force is an enormous service to mankind; and                                                                            
03  WHEREAS members of our military forces are performing their mission with great                                       
04 dispatch, exemplifying the high degree of dedication, professionalism, and training that                                
05 underlines the technological and strategic superiority of our military strength; and                                    
06  WHEREAS many of our United States troops are in danger, and the media reports that                                   
07 the public must be prepared to accept the possibility that there will be United States casualties;                      
08 and                                                                                                                     
09  WHEREAS Alaskans in the military services have been called on to participate in the                                  
10 Kosovo conflict and are likely to be called on to serve there in increasing numbers; and                                
11  WHEREAS these Alaskans are and will be serving in the interest of the United States                                  
12 with dedication, honor, and commitment;                                                                                 
13  BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature                                                                     
14   (1)  commends the bravery and dedication of Alaska's military personnel and                                           
15 of all men and women who are serving in the Kosovo conflict; and                                                        
16   (2)  applauds the extraordinary job being done by the United States and Allied                                        
17 military forces in saving lives by setting up tents and establishing refugee camps; and be it                           
18  FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the Alaska State Legislature express                                            
19 their heartfelt concern for the safety of United States military personnel in the conflict, and                         
20 of the refugees who are fleeing Kosovo, and, therefore, urge President Clinton and the                                  
21 Congress to use whatever means available to bring the conflict to an end as soon as possible                            
22 and in a manner that will help secure a just and lasting peace in the region; and be it                                 
23  FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature requests the Alaska                                               
24 Legislative Council to direct the Legislative Affairs Agency to send the following message                              
25 to all Alaskans and military personnel stationed in Alaska who are serving in the United States                         
26 armed forces in the Kosovo conflict:  "The members of the Alaska State Legislature thank you                            
27 heartily for your efforts in stopping the barbaric actions of Slobodan Milosevic in Kosovo and                          
28 for laying a foundation for a just and lasting peace in the region.  We commend your bravery                            
29 and dedication.  We wish you a safe and speedy return home."                                                            
30  COPIES of this resolution shall be sent to the Honorable Bill Clinton, President of the                              
31 United States; the Honorable Al Gore, Jr., Vice-President of the United States and President                            

01 of the U.S. Senate; the Honorable Strom Thurmond, President Pro Tempore of the U.S.                                     
02 Senate; the Honorable J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives; the                              
03 Honorable William S. Cohen, Secretary of Defense; to the Honorable Ted Stevens and the                                  
04 Honorable Frank Murkowski, U.S. Senators, and the Honorable Don Young, U.S.                                             
05 Representative; Brigadier General Dean Cash, Commanding General, U.S. Army, Alaska;                                     
06 Brigadier General Phillip Oates, Adjutant General, Alaska National Guard; and Colonel                                   
07 George Cannelos, Director, Alaska Air National Guard.