Text of MO SCR 45 (2010)

Unofficial Resolution Copy SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 45 WHEREAS, many brave and dedicated members of the military call Missouri home; and WHEREAS, the state of Missouri has a long history of supporting the military in their mission to protect and defend the American people; and WHEREAS, ensuring that our military forces are a strong and cohesive unit is a priority for all Missourians; and WHEREAS, federal law currently embodies what has commonly been referred to as the “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy, which requires that members of the armed forces be separated from the service if they engage in homosexual acts or are openly gay; and WHEREAS, this federal law helps ensure unit cohesion that is essential to our military's fighting capability; and WHEREAS, ending this policy, particularly while American troops are engaged in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq, would be disruptive to the military and to their mission; and WHEREAS, senior military leaders have reportedly expressed concern about the extra stress that ending this policy would place on members of the military: NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the members of the Missouri Senate, Ninety-fifth General Assembly, Second Regular Session, the House of Representatives concurring therein, hereby strongly support the service members of the United States military and urge the United States Congress to help these service members carry out their mission by continuing to support the “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy”; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Missouri Senate be instructed to prepare properly inscribed copies of this resolution for the Secretary of Defense and each member of Missouri's congressional delegation.