Amended in Assembly June 26, 2014

California Legislature—2013–14 Regular Session

House Resolution No. 45

Introduced by Assembly Member Dababneh

June 10, 2014

House Resolution No. 45—Relative to the California-Ukraine National Guard Partnership.

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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

end insert begin insert

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

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WHEREAS, The California-Ukraine National Guard Partnership
is one of 65 National Guard State Partnership Programs begin delete (also
known as SPP). The California-Ukraine National Guard Partnership end delete
begin insert and this partnership end insert 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 begin delete region. Ukraine is now putting that
framework to the test, and that is thanks to the support of the
California National Guard; end delete begin insert region; end insert and

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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

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begin insert WHEREAS, Through end insert 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 begin delete Group, as well as how to best
leverage relationships with neighboring countries; end delete begin insert Group; end insert and

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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

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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

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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.