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THE SENATE |
S.R. NO. |
22 |
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TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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SENATE RESOLUTION
RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE TO COMMEMORATE THE HONORABLE SERVICE OF THE U.S. NAVY'S F-14 TOMCAT IN DEFENDING FREEDOM.
WHEREAS, in the Regular Session of 2007, the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii unanimously passed H.C.R. No. 180 based on their recognition of the exemplary service by the United States Navy's F-14 Tomcat, upon its retirement in 2006 and a reverent understanding of the F-14's contribution to the free world as both a tested and proven weapons platform of the Cold War and an American icon, starring as the center attraction of patriotic films such as "Top Gun" and "The Final Countdown"; and
WHEREAS, the F-14 Tomcat saw service in only two militaries, the U.S. Navy and the Imperial Iranian Air Force, and having retired from U.S. service in September 2006, Iran remains the only active user of the F-14 Tomcat; and
WHEREAS, while the state of Iran has already honored the service of the F-14 Tomcat with a postal stamp of their own, the United States Postal Service (USPS) as yet does not have a stamp to commemorate American Tomcats; and
WHEREAS, the F-14 Tomcat was in continuous active service since 1972, and has become an icon of American ingenuity and a symbol of America's resolve to protect and perpetuate freedom; and
WHEREAS, the F-14 Tomcat was responsible for the perception of the countries around the world that the United States was able to protect its people, uphold its policies abroad, and defend her allies; and
WHEREAS, the retirement of the American Tomcat in 2006 has led to the complete and thorough destruction of all F-14 aircraft not reserved for static displays, thus effectively annihilating the historic legacy of not only the aircraft, but the men and women who were a part of it; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature recognizes the need for historic preservation of key American icons such as the F-14 Tomcat to serve as a reminder to future generations that freedom often requires strength; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature is thankful to not only the F-14 Tomcat, but also the men and women of the Tomcat who helped keep America free throughout the Cold War, allowing all of us to continue in the exercise of democracy; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, that the Legislature respectfully requests the United States Postal Service to commemorate the honorable service of the F-14 Tomcat in defending freedom with a First Class Stamp; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States of America, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of the Navy, Postmaster General of the USPS, Citizen's Stamp Advisory Committee of the USPS, Governor, Hawaii's Congressional Delegation, F-14 Tomcat Association, and Northrop Grumman Corporation.
F-14 Tomcat Stamp