H.Res. 296 — Introduced in House

IV 113th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 296 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 10, 2013 Mr. Peters of California submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that before the United States ends its commitment in Afghanistan and United States involvement in the conflict draws to a close, the Nation needs to ensure no one is left behind and all members of the United States Armed Forces are accounted for. Whereas on July 7, 2013, the war in Afghanistan will enter its 142nd month; Whereas as of April 30, 2013, a total of 776,055 members of the United States Armed Forces have deployed to Afghanistan and spent most of their tour there; Whereas in June 2011, President Barack Obama announced his plan to begin the withdrawal of United States troops from Afghanistan, changing the mission from one of combat to one of support; Whereas the number of members of the United States Armed Forces in Afghanistan, which peaked at about 100,000 in June 2011, was reduced to a pre-surge level of about 66,000 as of September 20, 2012; Whereas currently roughly 64,000 members of the United States Armed Forces are serving in Afghanistan; Whereas levels of members of the United States Armed Forces are expected to fall to 34,000 by February 2014, with the bulk of that drawdown to take place in the winter of 2013 to 2014; Whereas the United States has depended upon the service and sacrifices of generations of courageous citizens to protect and uphold the Nation’s ideals; Whereas the people of the United States and Congress have a responsibility to support the troops that have been sent into harm’s way, making all efforts necessary to bring them home safely and expeditiously; Whereas Army Sergeant Bowe Robert Bergdahl of Hailey, Idaho, the only known United States Prisoner of War, was taken captive on June 30, 2009, and still remains in Afghanistan; and Whereas the creed Leave No Man Behind has long been part of the spirit and culture of the United States Armed Forces: Now, therefore, be it That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that before the United States ends its commitment in Afghanistan and United States involvement in the conflict draws to a close, the Nation needs to ensure no one is left behind and all members of the United States Armed Forces are accounted for.