2007 SESSION

INTRODUCED REPRINT

076718784 INTRODUCED 1 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 500 2 Offered February 12, 2007 3 Commending John P. Abizaid. 4 ±±±±±±±±±± Patron±±O©Brien 5 ±±±±±±±±±± 6 WHEREAS, Army General John P. Abizaid, former commander of the United States 7 Central Command (CENTCOM), responsible for American troops in a 27-country region covering much 8 of the Middle East, is recognized for his many achievements and loyal service to the citizens of the 9 Commonwealth and the nation; and 10 WHEREAS, John Abizaid was born in California to a Christian Lebanese-American family; he 11 speaks fluent Arabic and is the most senior officer in the United States military of direct Arab descent; 12 and 13 WHEREAS, over the years, John Abizaid, his devoted wife, and three wonderful children have spent 14 much time in Virginia; and 15 WHEREAS, General Abizaid©s military education includes graduation from the United States Military 16 Academy (USMA) at West Point, Class of 1973; Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Officer schools, 17 Armed Forces Staff College; and War College; and 18 WHEREAS, in civilian studies, General Abizaid completed a senior fellowship at the Hoover 19 Institution at ; earned a master©s degree in Middle Eastern Studies at Harvard 20 University; and studied as an Olmsted Scholar at the University of in , Jordan; and 21 WHEREAS, after graduating from the USMA, General Abizaid was commissioned a second

22 lieutenant of the infantry and began his career with the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Fort SJ500 23 Bragg, , as a rifle and scout platoon leader, commanding the 2nd and 1st Ranger 24 Battalions; and 25 WHEREAS, an inspiring leader and role model, General Abizaid has served his country as the 26 commander of countless brave soldiers of Virginia and the nation in every conflict that America has 27 been involved in since the invasion of in 1983, including leading a Ranger Rifle Company 28 during the invasion of Grenada; the 3rd Battalion, 325th Airborne Regiment combat team in , 29 Italy, during the Gulf crisis; and the 1st Armored Division in Bosnia-Herzegovina; and 30 WHEREAS, a great mentor to young people and the future leaders of the nation, General Abizaid 31 then served as the 66th Commandant at the USMA at West Point; and 32 WHEREAS, among his many staff assignments, General Abizaid has served tours with the United 33 Nations and in numerous positions in the Office of the Chief of Staff of the United States Army and the 34 Chairman of the ; and 35 WHEREAS, continuing his leadership of the troops, General Abizaid assumed command of the 1st

5:3 36 Infantry Division, the "Big Red One," in Würzburg, , which provided the first American ground 37 attack into ; and 38 WHEREAS, General Abizaid served his country as one of two deputy commanders of CENTCOM

3/25/10 39 during the major combat phase of the ; and 40 WHEREAS, following the overthrow of , General Abizaid was promoted to the rank 41 of four-star general, and on July 7, 2003, assumed command of CENTCOM from General Tommy 42 Franks and charged with the many difficult decisions regarding the troops and the United States military 43 operations in Iraq; now, therefore, be it 44 RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby 45 commend General John P. Abizaid for his distinguished and loyal service to all of his brave troops and 46 the citizens of the Commonwealth and the nation; and, be it 47 RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for 48 presentation to General John P. Abizaid as an expression of the General Assembly©s appreciation of his 49 many accomplishments and his commitment to the values of duty, honor, and country.