The Fort Hood shooting rampage of last November has not been forgotten by Congress, as House Republican Conference Secretary John Carter this week is introducing a resolution recognizing the upcoming anniversary of the radical Islamic attack on the nation’s largest military installation that left 13 adults and one unborn child dead.

"This outrage has gradually subsided in the news as we await trial of the suspect," says Congressman John Carter (R-TX), who represents the Fort Hood area in the House. "But we have not forgotten the victims or the courage, professionalism, and sacrifice of those who responded to this cowardly attack on unarmed victims. This bill serves to express our gratitude for the quick and decisive action of military and civilian law enforcement and emergency medical personnel and Fort Hood commanders in responding to the attack. Meanwhile, this reminder should renew our resolve for further investigation of how this happened, steps to prevent another similar attack, and to provide fair treatment for the casualties and their families."

The failure of the Senate to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) has left the bulk of Carter legislation dealing with the Fort Hood terror attack in limbo. The House-passed version included two Carter amendments, one that provided combat casualty status for all those killed or wounded in the radical Islamist attack, and a second provision to assure that the families of those soldiers who lost their lives receive the improved tax, housing, and insurance benefits awarded to combat casualties, and to authorize casualties and their families to receive charitable gifts from outside groups which have been held up by current regulations.

Carter had also hoped to have two additional amendments added in the Senate that were left out of the House version. The first proposal would amend the current Military Whistleblower Protection Act to include protections against politically-correct persecution of service members and civilian defense employees who report radical Islamic and other ideological terror threats. The second amendment would require Active Shooter Training for all law enforcement personnel providing security to U.S. military installations.

TEXT OF CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Recognizing the anniversary of the tragic shootings that occurred at Fort Hood, Texas, on November 5, 2009.

Whereas on November 5, 2009 a gunman entered the Soldier Readiness Processing Center at Fort Hood, Texas, and opened fire on military and civilian personnel who were preparing for deployment or who had recently returned to the United States from overseas;

Whereas 13 people were killed, including 12 soldiers, one of whom was an expecting mother, and one former soldier;

Whereas 31 people were wounded, and some of the wounded required months of care and rehabilitation;

Whereas civilian and military law enforcement personnel of the Department of Defense acted swiftly and courageously to neutralize the threat;

Whereas Army medics immediately began treating the wounded, greatly reducing the loss of life;

Whereas nearby Army personnel selflessly evacuated wounded individuals to safety prior to the threat being eliminated; and

Whereas the Fort Hood regional communities, the State of Texas, military service organizations and countless Americans united in support of the Fort Hood victims and their families:

Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress—

(1) recognizes the shootings that occurred at 4 Fort Hood, Texas, on November 5, 2009, as a tragic

event in the history of the Army and the United States;

(2) extends its deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the victims of the shootings who

had already sacrificed a great deal by righteously answering their country’s call to serve;

(3) honors the civilian law enforcement personnel of the Department of Defense for effectively

implementing their training to promptly eliminate the threat, thereby limiting additional loss of life or injury;

(4) commends the Fort Hood command team for its timely response and situational control; and

(5) expresses gratitude to the Fort Hood communities, military personnel stationed at Fort Hood,

military service organizations, and the American people for promptly extending comfort and assistance to the victims of the shootings and their families.