III 

110TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 185 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

OCTOBER 2, 2007 

Received and referred to the Committee on Armed Services 

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 

Commending the 1st Brigade Combat Team/34th Infantry 

Division of the Minnesota National Guard upon its completion of the longest continuous deployment of any 

United States ground combat military unit in Operation 

Iraqi Freedom. 

Whereas the 1st Brigade Combat Team/34th Infantry Division of the Minnesota National Guard, known as the Red 

Bull Division, is headquartered in Bloomington, Minnesota, and deployed approximately 2,700 hard-working 

and courageous Minnesotans and approximately 1,300 

more soldiers from other Midwestern States; 


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HCON 185 RFS 

Whereas the 1st Brigade Combat Team has a long history of 

service to the United States, beginning with the Civil 

War; 

Whereas the 1st Brigade Combat Team was most recently 

mobilized in September 2005 and departed for Iraq in 

March 2006; 

Whereas the 1st Brigade Combat Team recently completed 

the longest continuous deployment of any United States 

ground combat military unit during Operation Iraqi 

Freedom; 

Whereas, during its deployment, the 1st Brigade Combat 

Team completed 5,200 combat logistics patrols, secured 

2.4 million convoy miles, and discovered 462 improvised 

explosive devices (IEDs) prior to detonation; 

Whereas the 1st Brigade Combat Team processed over 1.5 

million vehicles and 400,000 Iraqis into entry control 

points without any insurgent penetrations; 

Whereas the 1st Brigade Combat Team captured over 400 

suspected insurgents; 

Whereas more than 1,400 members of the 1st Brigade Combat Team reenlisted during deployment and 21 members 

became United States citizens during deployment; 

Whereas the 1st Brigade Combat Team helped start two 

Iraqi newspapers that provide news to the local population and publish stories on reconstruction progress; 

Whereas the 1st Brigade Combat Team completed 137 reconstruction projects; 

Whereas the deployment of the 1st Brigade Combat Team in 

Iraq was extended by 125 days in January 2007; 


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HCON 185 RFS 

Whereas the 1st Brigade Combat Team and its members are 

now returning to the United States to loving families and 

a grateful nation; 

Whereas the families of the members of the 1st Brigade 

Combat Team have waited patiently for their loved ones 

to return and endured many hardships during this 

lengthy deployment; 

Whereas the employers of members and family members of 

the 1st Brigade Combat Team have displayed patriotism 

over profit, by keeping positions saved for the returning 

soldiers and supporting the families during the difficult 

days of this long deployment, and these employers are 

great corporate citizens through their support of members of the Armed Forces and their family members; 

Whereas communities throughout the Midwest are now integral participants in the Minnesota National Guard’s extensive Beyond the Yellow Ribbon reintegration program 

that will help members of the 1st Brigade Combat Team 

return to normal life; and 

Whereas the 1st Brigade Combat Team/34th Infantry Division has performed admirably and courageously, putting 

service to country over personal interests and gaining the 

gratitude and respect of Minnesotans, Midwesterners, 

and all Americans: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 

2 concurring), That Congress— 

3 (1) commends the 1st Brigade Combat Team/ 

4 34th Infantry Division of the Minnesota National 

5 Guard upon its completion of the longest continuous 


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HCON 185 RFS 

1 deployment of any United States ground combat 

2 military unit during Operation Iraqi Freedom; 

3 (2) recognizes the achievements of the members 

4 of the 1st Brigade Combat Team and their exem5 plary service to the United States; and 

6 (3) directs the Clerk of the House of Represent7 atives to transmit a copy of this resolution to the 

8 Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard 

9 for appropriate display. 

Passed the House of Representatives October 1, 

2007. 

Attest: LORRAINE C. MILLER, 

Clerk. 


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