House Honors Armed Forces Personnel, Veterans; Bruce Dissents

The House passed a resolution honoring the state's armed forces personnel and veterans today, voting to recognize the service and sacrifices of more than 60,000 military men and women and more than 425,000 veterans that live in the state on Military and Veterans Appreciation Day in Colorado.

The resolution conveyed "heartfelt gratitude to our state's veterans, past and present, to all military men and women currently serving in the armed services, and to the family members of active duty personnel and veterans." It also "encourage[d] the citizens of Colorado to join in the celebration of Colorado's Military and Veterans Appreciation Day on February 13, 2008, in recognition and honor of the thousands of fellow citizens in the military who protect and serve their communities, state, and country."

The resolution, HJR 1007, is to be sent to President Bush, the commanding officers of military installations and units in the state, members of Colorado's delegation in Congress, the state Board of Veterans Affairs and the United Veterans Committee of Colorado.

The resolution drew sponsorship from virtually every member of the House today. However, one Republican refused to sign on as a sponsor: Rep. Douglas Bruce, R-Colorado Springs.

Bruce has said that he thinks resolutions are unworthy of the General Assembly's attention. However, he has been a co-sponsor this session of a resolution honoring the late Rev. Martin Luther King, as well as of a resolution honoring 4-H day in the state.

The Military and Veterans Appreciation Day resolution was introduced by Reps. Stella Garza-Hicks, R-Colorado Springs, and Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora.