A HOUSE RESOLUTION CELEBRATING THE ONE HUNDRED FIFTH BIRTHDAY OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE, HONORING THE COMMITMENT, DEDICATION, AND SERVICE TO AMERICA, AND OFFERING OUR CONTINUING SUPPORT TO OUR SOLDIERS.
Whereas, in 1908, the nation's leaders knew that the most up‑to‑date medical experience resided in the civilian sector created the first reservoir of trained officers in a reserve status, known as the Medical Reserve Corps; and
Whereas, today, over 20% of the Army's assets lie within the Army Reserve; and
Whereas, in 1916, Congress passed the National Defense Act, creating the Officers' Reserve Corps, the Enlisted Reserve Corps, and the Reserve Officers' Training Corps, later named the Organized Reserve Corps (ORC), all of which are forerunners of the current Army Reserve; and
Whereas, in both World Wars, Army Reserve Soldiers answered the call of duty. In World War I, 89,500 reserve officers were mobilized, and during World War II, 200,000 members of the ORC participated, with reserve officers providing 29% of the Army's Officers; and
Whereas, in 1952, legislation renamed the ORC as the Army Reserve and then divided it into three reserves, a Ready Reserve, a Standby Reserve, and a Retired Reserve. Legislation also provided that reserve units have 24 training days and up to 17 days of annual training; and
Whereas, the Army Reserve has been an integral part of numerous conflicts. More than 70 Army Reserve units were deployed to the Korean Peninsula, well over 120,000 soldiers have provided combat support and combat service support during Operation Desert Shield/Storm, and others provided support in Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, Kosovo, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Noble Eagle, and Operation Iraqi Freedom; and currently over 12,000 Army Reserve Soldiers are currently deployed around the world; and
Whereas, the role of the Army Reserve has changed over time. Moving from a Strategic Reserve to an Operational Force, the Army Reserve provides resources and training to first‑responder organizations across the nation, trains soldiers, implements national objectives, keeps the Army mobile, and enables the Army to do more with constrained resources; and
Whereas, the Army Reserve makes up 20% of the Army's organized units, while providing one‑half of the Army's combat support and one‑fourth of its mobilization base expansion capabilities; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
SECTION 1.  The House of Representatives honors the memory of the members of the United States Army Reserve who have given their lives while serving our nation.
SECTION 2.  The House of Representatives celebrates the 105th birthday of the United States Army Reserve, honors its continuing service to America, and offers the soldiers our thanks and continued support.
SECTION 3.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.