Press Release

April 8, 2008 

 

CONTACT:
Caroline Burns
(202) 225-3631      
        

CONGRESSMAN BISHOP HONORS ARMY RESERVE
Resolution introduced by Bishop honoring 100th anniversary passes in the U.S. House of Representatives

 

Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed HJ Res 70, honoring the 100th Anniversary of the Army Reserve, which will be formally celebrated on April 23.

 

Congressman Sanford Bishop, the legislation’s lead sponsor, introduced the resolution in December with Representatives Steve Buyer (R-IN), Gene Taylor (D-MS), John Shimkus (R-IL), and 230 original co-sponsors, more than half the current membership in the U.S. House of Representatives.  Upon passage, the resolution had more than 260 co-sponsors.

 

“As we celebrate and honor the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Army Reserve, we are reminded of the integral role our reservists have played in the safety and security of our nation, and praise them for the distinction with which they serve today,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.  “I commend and thank Congressman Bishop for his service in the Reserve, as well as for the support he has shown to our brave men and women, not only on this momentous anniversary, but each and every day.”

 

Speaking on the resolution on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, Bishop remarked, “The outpouring of bipartisan support that this resolution has received is indicative of the high regard in which the Army Reserve is held among Members of Congress and the American public.  Our reserve soldiers truly are ‘twice the citizen.’”

 

The Army Reserve was created by Congress on April 23, 1908, to support the Active Army in times of national crisis.  Initially, it included 360 medical professionals but over the past century the scope and size of the Army Reserve has grown.  Today, more than 190,000 Army Reserve Soldiers provide support to the Army with skills they acquire from both military and civilian training and experiences.

 

Throughout the past century, the Army Reserve has played an important role in each of our nation's major conflicts, including World Wars I and II, the Korean conflict, the Vietnam conflict, the Gulf War, as well as peacekeeping and humanitarian relief missions.  Since September 11, 2001, the Army Reserve has mobilized more than 192,000 Soldiers in support of the Global War on Terror, as well.
   
“For our first 100 years, we were called Citizen Soldiers. Now, we are Warrior Citizens, because we are an integral part of the Army – part of the operational force.  We are warriors for our Nation, and we are also citizens who willingly put our lives on hold – leave our Families and our jobs – to defend our Nation. We are citizens who willingly lay down our plows and pick up our rifles when called upon,” said Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, Chief, Army Reserve, and Commanding General, U.S. Army Reserve Command.
    
The Army Reserve's 100th Anniversary commemoration will be celebrated in Washington, D.C. on April 23, 2008, and will include the enlistment of 100 Army Reserve Soldiers in Washington D.C. as well as local events at Army Reserve units around the country over the next year. 

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