PENNSYLVANIA, March 14 - WHEREAS, On January 16, 1991, after Saddam Hussein refused to

retreat, President Bush ordered the United States Armed Forces

to begin "Operation Desert Storm"; and

WHEREAS, On January 17, 1991, an intensive air campaign was

initiated to weaken the Iraqi forces in Kuwait; and

WHEREAS, On February 23, 1991, led by the 2nd Armored Cavalry

Regiment, an enjoined ground attack began formation to battle

against Saddam Hussein's Elite Guard Corps; and

WHEREAS, The United States Armed Forces-led ground offensive

was employed on February 24, 1991, resulting in the ultimate

defeat of the Iraqi forces and the liberation of Kuwait on

February 28, 1991; and

WHEREAS, Following cease-fire negotiations, President Bush

announced the end of combat operations on March 6, 1991; and

WHEREAS, Two hundred United States Armed Forces members were

killed, including 29 from this Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, The residents of this Commonwealth and our nation

were dutifully united in their support and prayer for those who

served in the conflict, decorating trees with yellow ribbons as

a reminder to pray for the safe return of our men and women; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's cost to liberate Kuwait was high; and

WHEREAS, Thousands of Pennsylvania's sons and daughters

served, and this Commonwealth suffered the highest loss of life

in a single attack when an Iraqi scud missile exploded at

Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, killing 13 and wounding 43 members of the

Pennsylvania-based 14th Quartermaster Detachment; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvanians who served during Operation Desert

Storm also suffered noncombat related injuries, including:

John Jeffrey Bnosky, Army, Tamaqua;

Carl William Brace, Army, Bath;

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