Reps. Sheen, Brandenburg, Newell, Hoogendyk, Wenke, Palsrok, Stahl, Stakoe, Ward, Moolenaar, Steil, Amos, LaJoy, Robertson, Vander Veen, DeRoche, Hager, Huizenga, Kooiman, Hune, Nofs, LaSata, Bisbee, Farhat, Walker, Mortimer, Gaffney, Shaffer, Bradstreet, Rocca, Casperson, Pastor, Tabor, Milosch, Ehardt, Julian, Pumford, Hart, Hummel, Drolet, Hood, Vagnozzi, Stallworth, Caul, Ruth Johnson, Hardman, Daniels, Law, Spade, Anderson, Caswell, DeRossett, Gieleghem, Meyer, Richardville, Sheltrown, Taub, Voorhees, Zelenko, Garfield, Howell, Kolb, Brown and Shackleton offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 153.

            A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact legislation to create a federal tax check-off program to fund grants to members of the National Guard and Reserves called to active duty for more than 60 days.

            Whereas, The nature of the responsibilities of our fellow citizens serving in the National Guard and the Reserves has changed significantly.  While reservists have always been well aware of the possibility of extended service in an active duty capacity, the evolving role of the American military in our troubled world has led to large-scale and lengthy mobilization of our reserve forces.  Most experts feel that this trend will continue for the foreseeable future; and

            Whereas, Thousands of members of the National Guard and Reserves are fulfilling difficult responsibilities in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere.  The American people are aware of the extra sacrifices being made by these citizen soldiers and their beloved families.  These enormous sacrifices include not only the obvious risk of life to protect our nation and its ideals, but also the serious financial hardships that face many families of deployed members of the National Guard and the Reserves; and

            Whereas, The federal government and many state governments, including Michigan, utilize tax check-off programs on income tax forms to fund a variety of worthy programs.  This concept should be developed with regard to the creation of funds to provide much-needed grants to the families of reservists serving extended stints on active duty; and

            Whereas, The American people would likely be very supportive of a program that would allow taxpayers to designate from $1 to $5 ($2 to $10 for joint filers) to go to a fund within the United States Department of Treasury, with each state's contributions calculated.  Based on the amount of money generated, grants could be provided to families of reservists of the respective states who are called to active duty for at least 60 days.  These grants could be used to offset some of the financial hardships of paying rent and food bills.  If the fund were allowed to roll over from year to year and build up, grants could also possibly be made one day to veterans hospitals or for other direct services to the individuals and families making sacrifices in the military; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact legislation to create a federal tax check-off program to fund grants to members of the National Guard and Reserves called to active duty for more than 60 days; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.