[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 44 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]

        H.J.Res.44

                      One Hundred Eleventh Congress

                                 of the

                        United States of America


                          AT THE FIRST SESSION

          Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday,
             the sixth day of January, two thousand and nine


                            Joint Resolution


 
 Recognizing the service, sacrifice, honor, and professionalism of the 
           Noncommissioned Officers of the United States Army.

Whereas the Noncommissioned Officer ranks, namely corporals and 
  sergeants, date back more than 230 years in United States Army 
  history, beginning with the birth of the Continental Army in 1775 and 
  highlighted in the westward expansion of the United States, the Civil 
  War, World War I, World War II, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam 
  Conflict, the liberation of Kuwait, and the current Global War on 
  Terror;

Whereas Noncommissioned Officers are accomplished military 
  professionals who have combined civilian and military education 
  opportunities to become the Army's preeminent body of leadership;

Whereas Noncommissioned Officers are the ``backbone of the American 
  Army'' and are the standard keepers for the Army in the training, 
  leading, coaching, and mentoring of soldiers;

Whereas Noncommissioned Officers have provided invaluable service and 
  have made great sacrifices in the line of duty, a virtue held most 
  high, and they have continually proven their dedication and a 
  willingness to make great sacrifices on behalf of the United States;

Whereas Noncommissioned Officers recognize their role in training young 
  soldiers to become future leaders, and they also recognize that an 
  important part of their job is caring and looking out for the welfare 
  of junior enlisted members and their families;

Whereas Noncommissioned Officers are the ``eyes and ears'' of the 
  commander, and have a well-earned reputation for having operational 
  and strategic awareness to interpret and issue orders as necessary 
  within their duties and in the absence of commissioned officers; and

Whereas the United States Army is an institution rich in cultural, 
  ethnic, and gender diversity, and Noncommissioned Officers are 
  outstanding role models for all Americans and are exemplary 
  representatives of the moral character and strength of the United 
  States: Now, therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That Congress--
        (1) recognizes the service, sacrifice, honor, and 
    professionalism of the Noncommissioned Officers of the United 
    States Army;
        (2) expresses its deepest appreciation to the Noncommissioned 
    Officers of the Army who serve or have served in defense of the 
    United States; and
        (3) encourages the people of the United States to recognize, 
    commemorate, and honor the role and contribution of Noncommissioned 
    Officers, past and present, in defense of the United States.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

                            Vice President of the United States and    
                                               President of the Senate.