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<PRE>[DOCID: f:hc364ih.txt]






107th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 364

 Recognizing the historic significance of the 50th anniversary of the 
  founding of the United States Army Special Forces and honoring the 
  ``Father of the Special Forces'', Colonel Aaron Bank (United States 
     Army, retired) of Mission Viejo, California, for his role in 
                 establishing the Army Special Forces.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 20, 2002

   Mr. Cox submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
              referred to the Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing the historic significance of the 50th anniversary of the 
  founding of the United States Army Special Forces and honoring the 
  ``Father of the Special Forces'', Colonel Aaron Bank (United States 
     Army, retired) of Mission Viejo, California, for his role in 
                 establishing the Army Special Forces.

Whereas June 20, 2002, is the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the first 
        permanent special operations force of the Armed Forces;
Whereas the first such special operations force was created in response to the 
        advocacy of Colonel Aaron Bank (United States Army, retired), known as 
        the ``Father of the Special Forces'';
Whereas Colonel Aaron Bank's service in the Office of Strategic Services and his 
        experience leading resistance fighters against Nazi Germany convinced 
        him of the need for permanent, elite units in the Armed Forces that 
        would specialize in small unit and counterinsurgency tactics, 
        intelligence operations, and the training of indigenous soldiers;
Whereas in 1952 the Army created the first permanent special operations force, 
        the 10th Special Forces Group, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the 
        soldiers of which were known for their distinctive green berets;
Whereas Colonel Aaron Bank was assigned as the first commanding officer of the 
        10th Special Forces Group;
Whereas the success of the Army Special Forces encouraged the creation of 
        permanent special operations forces in the Navy, Air Force, and Marine 
        Corps;
Whereas these special operations forces have helped revolutionize the conduct of 
        modern warfare;
Whereas special operations soldiers have served with bravery and distinction in 
        every major military conflict in which the United States has been 
        involved in the last 50 years and in innumerable covert operations;
Whereas special operations soldiers are sometimes called upon to conduct 
        missions so secret that their bravery cannot be fully recognized;
Whereas special operations soldiers are playing a critical role in the war 
        against terrorism; and
Whereas thanks to Colonel Aaron Bank and the thousands of special operations 
        soldiers who have followed him, the Armed Forces are better prepared to 
        conduct unconventional warfare and to protect the United States from 
        developing threats: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) recognizes the historic significance of the 50th 
        anniversary of the founding of the United States Army Special 
        Forces;
            (2) honors the ``Father of the Special Forces'', Colonel 
        Aaron Bank (United States Army, retired) of Mission Viejo, 
        California, for his role in establishing the Army Special 
        Forces;
            (3) recognizes the sacrifices and accomplishments of Army 
        Special Forces soldiers and of all other special operations 
        soldiers in the Armed Forces;
            (4) expresses deep gratitude for the continuing sacrifices 
        of Army Special Forces soldiers and of all other special 
        operations soldiers in the Armed Forces now fighting throughout 
        the world in defense of the freedoms challenged by the heinous 
        events of September 11, 2001; and
            (5) honors the sacrifices made by the special operations 
        soldiers of the Armed Forces who have trained hard, served 
        valiantly in battle, and made the ultimate sacrifice to their 
        country, many times in missions so secret that their valor may 
        never be fully acknowledged.
                                 &lt;all&gt;

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