06 LC 36
0127
House
Resolution 1425
By:
Representatives Wilkinson of the
52nd,
Yates of the
73rd,
Porter of the
143rd,
Reece of the
27th,
Cole of the
125th,
and others
A
RESOLUTION
Recognizing
and commending the United Services Organization on its 65th anniversary; and for
other purposes.
WHEREAS,
the United Services Organization (USO), founded in 1941, is a private,
nonprofit, 501(c)(3) charitable organization representing every hometown
community throughout the State of Georgia and the United States;
and
WHEREAS,
the USO provides unparalleled support and services to the men, women, and
families of our
countrýs
military; and
WHEREAS,
for 65 years through major wars and combat and times of uneasy peace, the USO
volunteers, staff, and board members have provided countless hours of
entertainment and recreation, meals, care packages, and safe havens at USO
centers as an unforgettable touch of home for those who are serving our country
with valor, often far from their own hometowns; and
WHEREAS,
the USO is every hometown in Georgia, supporting our troops, who are our
neighbors, teachers, firemen, and other valuable members of our community;
and
WHEREAS,
Georgia has one of the largest military deployments in the nation making the USO
particularly important to this state; and
WHEREAS,
USO volunteers provide services and programs from Atlanta to Savannah and points
in between to all branches of the Armed Forces, ensuring that in the past three
years alone more than one million military personnel have received some type of
USO service, either through Welcome Home ceremonies, USO shows, Deployments,
Operation USO Care Packages, Operation R & R, Operation Exodus, or food and
refreshments at USO operations in Atlanta, Savannah, Warner Robins, and
Columbus; and
WHEREAS,
thousands of military personnel and their families have been treated to shows,
sporting events, and festivals through
USÓs
ticket distribution program, and hundreds of military families have received
groceries, toiletries and needed items through
USÓs
partnership with Family Readiness Groups across this state; and
WHEREAS,
the USO joyfully distributed more than $5,000.00 worth of new toys this past
holiday season to military children; and
WHEREAS,
during the first and second deployment of the 3rd Infantry Division out of Fort
Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield, USO volunteers worked zealously around the
clock to send off every soldier with the support of a smile, a care package, a
drink, and a snack, and were there again around the clock to greet and offer
support to every returning soldier; and
WHEREAS,
the USO gave the members of Georgia’s 48th Brigade an inspirational
sendoff with a family festival and show last May and the USO will be a part of
the official welcome home celebration of the 3rd Infantry Division in March and
the 48th
Brigadés
return as well; and
WHEREAS,
during cold nights, rainy days, and hot sunny afternoons, the USO did not miss
one deploying or homecoming plane and were there with heartfelt sentiments of
"Godspeed" or "Welcome home, thank you"; and
WHEREAS,
under the stewardship of the USO Council of Georgia, led by Chairman Michael A.
Watson, Executive Director Mary Lou Austin, and 49 members across the state, the
USO is the premiere agency ensuring that our troops are not forgotten;
and
WHEREAS,
when hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck the Gulf Coast and our wonderful, brave
military personnel were called to respond, it was USO Georgia that was tasked to
lead and help staff a USO joint task force by USO World Headquarters in
Washington, D.C.; and
WHEREAS,
for five months, USO Georgia staff and volunteers from Georgia were on duty
serving our military in the Gulf Coast region, while USO Georgia still continued
its mission and services throughout the state; and
WHEREAS,
USO Georgia is truly at the forefront of support to those who are serving, no
matter where they serve and no matter under what conditions; and
WHEREAS,
serving the Navy and Marines at the Atlanta Naval Air Station, the Air Force in
Middle Georgia, the Coast Guard in Savannah, or our many soldiers stationed
throughout the world, the USO truly puts the tangible "support" in "We support
our troops" and lets the brave and courageous men and women of Georgia know that
they are not forgotten.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA that the members of
this body commend the USO on its 65th anniversary and offer their heartfelt
gratitude for their service to America and the State of Georgia.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the USO
Council of Georgia.