BILL NUMBER: HR 45	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JUNE 26, 2014

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Dababneh

                        JUNE 10, 2014

   Relative to the California-Ukraine National Guard Partnership.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
             HOUSE OR SENATE RESOLUTIONS DO NOT CONTAIN A DIGEST



   WHEREAS, The Californian National Guard is the largest and most
frequently deployed National Guard force in the United States with a
total authorized strength of 22,900 soldiers and airmen. Since 2001
more than 38,000 soldiers and airmen have served with distinction
overseas; and  
   WHEREAS, Nearly every state National Guard participates in the
National Guard State Partnership Program, also known as SPP, which
helps partner nations to prevent failed states, improve capabilities
to protect citizens, and create stable regions; and 
   WHEREAS, The California-Ukraine National Guard Partnership is one
of 65 National Guard State Partnership Programs  (also known
as SPP). The California-Ukraine National Guard Partnership 
 and this partnership  was formed in 1993, just two years
after Ukraine earned its independence from the Soviet Union; and
   WHEREAS, The State of California's partnership with Ukraine is
among the most important and progressive partnerships in Europe. The
California National Guard has actively trained with the Armed Forces
of Ukraine to reinforce military respect for civilian control and
rule of law while improving the professionalism of military personnel
from both Ukraine and the State of California. Thanks to its
strategic location, size, and population, Ukraine has the capacity to
be one of the most influential countries in the region; and
   WHEREAS, Prior to our strategic relationship, the Armed Forces of
Ukraine were in desperate need of restructuring, modernization of
forces, and information sharing. Ukraine needed the tools to learn
how to build a consensus among civilian populations, analytical
methods for achieving their goals, and how to become a diplomatic
leader in its  region. Ukraine is now putting that framework
to the test, and that is thanks to the support of the California
National Guard;   region;  and 
   WHEREAS, As the current political and military situation escalates
in Ukraine, the partnership between Ukraine and the California
National Guard becomes even more critical. Through 
    WHEREAS, Through  the collaboration, California
Guardsmen have addressed a broad range of social, economic, military,
and political issues in Ukraine. The California National Guard has
worked to give Ukrainian armed forces the tools to help secure their
borders, provide emergency response training, and other training to
large, diverse agencies in Ukraine; and
   WHEREAS, Ukrainian military members have traveled to California to
participate in disaster-relief exercises with the California
National Guard and California Guardsmen have been deployed to Ukraine
for antiterror exercises. Currently, the focus of the
California-Ukraine National Guard Partnership is on English language
training, strategic airlift collaboration, human resources and
personnel management, humanitarian assistance, development of the
European Union Battle  Group, as well as how to best leverage
relationships with neighboring countries;   Group;
 and 
   WHEREAS, As the current conflict in Ukraine becomes more dire, it
is important to reflect on the Ukraine's military and political
framework. Over the last several months, Ukraine's borders have
shifted, political leadership has changed, and civil unrest has
ignited. It is the hope that the tools that the California National
Guard has provided Ukraine remain useful, and that the safety and
security of Ukraine be restored; now, therefore, be it  

   WHEREAS, The California-Ukraine National Guard partnership can be
a point of pride for the almost 100,000 Californian citizens of
Ukrainian origin; now, therefore, be it 
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, That the
Assembly proclaims its support for the California National Guard and
the California-Ukraine National Guard Partnership; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly shall transmit
copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.