IV 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 1054 
Recognizing the roles and contributions of military animals and their valiant 
human handlers for bravery in both war and peace, and acknowledging 
the importance of creating a process for honoring their valor and meri-
torious achievements. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 5, 2024 
Ms. BROWNLEY (for herself, Mr. BILIRAKIS, Mr. RASKIN, Mr. CALVERT, Mr. 
BAIRD, Mr. VEASEY, and Mr. FITZPATRICK) submitted the following res-
olution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services 
RESOLUTION 
Recognizing the roles and contributions of military animals 
and their valiant human handlers for bravery in both 
war and peace, and acknowledging the importance of 
creating a process for honoring their valor and meri-
torious achievements. 
Whereas the history of our Nation needs to comprise the so-
cial, economic, cultural, and medical contributions made 
by military animals and their human handlers, and 
should include stories of their valor, sacrifices, and meri-
torious achievements made on behalf of our freedom and 
safety; 
Whereas military animals have made significant contributions 
to the peace and protection of our United States and 
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were officially recognized by the Quartermaster Corps on 
March 13, 1942; 
Whereas military animals have served in war throughout his-
tory and contributed selfless service and bravery by rec-
ognizing their historical contributions, including: 
(1) More than 2,200 years ago, African general 
Hannibal used elephants to carry soldiers and weapons. 
Since that time, while horses, pigeons and dogs have been 
mostly used, a vast array of animals were put into serv-
ice, including camels, mules, donkeys, and llamas. The 
United States experimented with dolphins and sea lions. 
‘‘Bomber bats’’ were even tested during World War II be-
fore the hydrogen bomb was completed. 
(2) During World War I, over 8 million horses and 
mules were killed. 
(3) In 1917, the Army Signal Corps established the 
Signal Pigeon Corps. At its height during World War II, 
the Signal Pigeon Corps consisted of 3,000 enlisted mem-
bers, 150 officers, and 54,000 pigeons, two-thirds of 
which were deployed overseas, with the other 18,000 held 
in reserves. 
(4) Over 11,500 military working dogs were trained 
for the home front and warfront during World War II. 
(5) Approximately 2,000 military working dogs were 
sent overseas in World War II, an estimated 4,000 mili-
tary working dogs served in Vietnam and an estimated 
5,700 military working dogs have served in Afghanistan 
and Iraq since 2006; 
Whereas there are currently over 3,000 military working dogs 
in the United States today, and there is an increasing de-
mand for these military working dogs in the United 
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States as a result of the proven worth and success in 
their various service and working capacities; 
Whereas since September 11, 2001, the 341st Training 
Squadron of the Air Force has trained approximately 500 
military working dogs annually, including 274 explosive 
detection dogs for the Transportation Security Adminis-
tration, and, according to the Secretary of the Air Force, 
there are an estimated 2,000 military working dogs de-
ployed worldwide to support the Global War on Terror, 
helping to safeguard military bases and activities, and to 
detect bombs and explosives before they inflict harm; 
Whereas canines are used today to maintain peace and pro-
tection with numerous law enforcement, fire, and search 
and rescue agencies around the country, and are trained 
to patrol, apprehend fleeing criminals, and detect nar-
cotics, explosives, weapons, and accelerants, in cases of 
arson, and used in crime scene evidence detection; 
Whereas, according to the United States Police Canine Asso-
ciation, it is estimated that there are approximately 
15,000 police canines working today, not including mili-
tary working dogs, on the Federal, State, county, and 
local levels of government, in various service and working 
capacities; 
Whereas, according to Search and Rescue Dogs of the United 
States (hereinafter ‘‘SARDUS’’), there are approximately 
2,000 certified search and rescue teams across the 
United States, most of them volunteers who work on the 
local level for police and sheriff’s departments, and in-
clude wilderness area search dogs, trailing dogs, human 
remains detection dogs, water search dogs, and avalanche 
dog teams; 
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