H 3815 Concurrent Resolution, By Limehouse
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE SUPPORT OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL
 ASSEMBLY FOR THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THE MEMBERS OF HIS
 CABINET, AND THE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN SERVING IN THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED
 STATES IN THE WAR TO REMOVE SADDAM HUSSEIN, FREE THE PEOPLE OF IRAQ FROM THE
 CRUEL OPPRESSION OF A RUTHLESS DICTATOR, AND DISARM IRAQ OF WEAPONS OF MASS
 DESTRUCTION THAT THREATEN THE PEACE AND STABILITY OF THE ENTIRE WORLD.

   03/18/03  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-27
   03/19/03  Senate Introduced SJ-15
   03/19/03  Senate Referred to Committee on General SJ-15

TO EXPRESS THE SUPPORT OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THE MEMBERS OF HIS CABINET, AND THE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN SERVING IN THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE WAR TO REMOVE SADDAM HUSSEIN, FREE THE PEOPLE OF IRAQ FROM THE CRUEL OPPRESSION OF A RUTHLESS DICTATOR, AND DISARM IRAQ OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION THAT THREATEN THE PEACE AND STABILITY OF THE ENTIRE WORLD.

Whereas, after the horrific events of September 11, 2001, President George W. Bush exhibited tremendous insight into the nature of the attack upon America and displayed outstanding leadership as he rallied the nation and world leaders in the war against international terrorism; and

Whereas, as part of the ongoing war against international terrorism, President Bush and the members of his cabinet observed the hostile acts and hostile intent of Saddam Hussein toward Iraq's neighbors and the United States, and wisely concluded that disarming Iraq and Saddam Hussein of weapons of mass destruction is absolutely necessary in order to stabilize the Middle East and protect the world from biological, chemical, and nuclear blackmail at the hands of a ruthless dictator; and

Whereas, despite exhaustive diplomacy and an appeal to the Security Council of the United Nations, all efforts to persuade Saddam Hussein and Iraq to disarm peacefully have fallen on deaf ears; and

Whereas, in truth and in fact, there has been no failure of diplomacy on the part of President Bush, Secretary of State Colin Powell, or the United States in connection with the crisis in Iraq. Rather, there has been self-serving manipulation of the Security Council of the United Nations by ungrateful and irresponsible members of the international community, France under Jacques Chirac and Germany under Gerhard Schroder, to name two, seeking to serve their own ends at the expense of their allies and the people of Iraq, the stability of the Middle East, and the peace of the world; and

Whereas, faced with the betrayal of France and Germany, and the failure or refusal of the Security Council of the United Nations to deal with the reality of the existence of Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction, President Bush has steadfastly kept the policies of the United States and the resolve of the American people focused on the reality of the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and the threat those weapons pose to freedom, peace, and the security of this nation while in the hands of Saddam Hussein; and

Whereas, faced with the betrayal of allies and the failure of the Security Council to do its duty in the current crisis, the President of the United States has issued an ultimatum to Saddam Hussein to leave Iraq within "forty-eight hours" or face removal by force of arms at the hands of a coalition of nations willing to do what has to be done to remove Saddam Hussein and disarm Iraq of weapons of mass destruction; and

Whereas, the United States of America is about to enter into and engage in a just and necessary war. Of the brave men and women serving in the Armed Forces of the United States, approximately three hundred thousand soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines are poised in the Middle East ready to go into harms way, and to give their lives if need be, in order to remove the evil dictator Saddam Hussein, disarm Iraq of weapons of mass destruction, end Iraqi sponsorship of international terrorism, and free the Iraqi people of the cruel oppression of a ruthless dictator; and

Whereas, on the eve of this just and necessary war, it is fitting that the members of the South Carolina General Assembly take this opportunity to express their heartfelt support for the President of the United States, George W. Bush, the members of his cabinet, and the brave men and women serving in the Armed Forces of the United States, and wish them Godspeed in what they are about to do. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly, by this resolution, express the support of the South Carolina General Assembly for the President of the United States of America, the members of his cabinet, and the brave men and women serving in the Armed Forces of the United States in the war to remove Saddam Hussein, free the people of Iraq from the cruel oppression of a ruthless dictator, and disarm Iraq of weapons of mass destruction that threaten the peace and stability of the entire world.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the President of the United States, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, the United States Senate, the United States House of Representatives, and to each member of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation.