By Noriega                                           H.C.R. No. 209
         77R9323 GMW-D                           
                             HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
 1-1           WHEREAS, The Texas Legislature is pleased to commend the
 1-2     members of the Texas National Guard's 49th Armored Division for
 1-3     their exemplary service in Bosnia during 2000; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Following 18 months of intensive training, the 49th
 1-5     deployed to Bosnia and assumed control of Task Force Eagle on March
 1-6     7, 2000; there the division's guard members led the safest-ever
 1-7     rotation of peacekeepers, compiling more than 14,000 flight hours
 1-8     and 1.24 million road miles without a single injury accident; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, During the 49th's command, more refugees returned to
1-10     their prewar homes than during any other comparable period in the
1-11     history of the more than five-year operation, and 85 square miles
1-12     of mine fields were cleared at a faster rate than ever before;
1-13     moreover, the rivaling factions of the Entity Armed Forces actually
1-14     cooperated on the construction of bridges, roads, and buildings;
1-15     and
1-16           WHEREAS, Due in large part to the success of the 49th, the
1-17     United States Army has announced that six of the next eight
1-18     Stabilization Force rotations will be led by members of the
1-19     National Guard; and
1-20           WHEREAS, The efforts of the men and women of the 49th Armored
1-21     Division were instrumental in helping thousands of Bosnians rebuild
1-22     their lives and their country, and for their distinguished service
1-23     they are most deserving of legislative recognition at this time;
1-24     now, therefore, be it
 2-1           RESOLVED, That the 77th Legislature of the State of Texas
 2-2     hereby applaud the members of the 49th Armored Division of the
 2-3     Texas National Guard for their impressive peacekeeping efforts in
 2-4     Bosnia; and, be it further
 2-5           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
 2-6     prepared for the members of the 49th Armored Division as an
 2-7     expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives and
 2-8     Senate.