1Designating March 13, 2013, as "K9 Veterans and Services Day" in
2Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, Throughout the history of this Commonwealth and the
4nation, thousands of dogs and their handlers, trainers and other
5helpers have served in the military, law enforcement and various
6capacities with honor, dignity and valor to protect life,
7liberty and property; and

8WHEREAS, To this day, military and police and other working
9dogs and their handlers, trainers and other helpers continue to
10serve on both land and sea with honor, dignity and valor in this
11Commonwealth, the nation and abroad; and

12WHEREAS, The official United States K9 Corps was created on
13March 13, 1942, for service in World War II and beyond; and

14WHEREAS, Joseph J. White, a retired military working dog

1handler, began an effort some years ago to establish K9 Veterans
2Day on March 13 each year as a means to get the entire country
3to recognize the important services provided by dogs and their
4trainers, handlers and other helpers in the military, law
5enforcement and otherwise to save and protect human life; and

6WHEREAS, Many residents of this Commonwealth have and
7continue to actively participate in and engage in K9 training
8and operational activities to protect lives and property through
9the military, law enforcement and other groups; and

10WHEREAS, K9 Services now include dogs and their handlers,
11trainers and other helpers involved in customs, search and
12rescue, border patrol, police services, secret service, drug
13enforcement and many other capacities, all of which deserve
14recognition along with the military working dogs for saving and
15protecting our Commonwealth's and nation's way of life due to
16the current war on terror and efforts to stop and fight crime;
17and

18WHEREAS, The military, law enforcement and many other
19government agencies and groups have recognized K9 dogs as being
20loyal, loving, devoted and known for placing themselves in
21harm's way, to make the ultimate sacrifice and lay down their
22lives for their partners, handlers, trainers and other helpers;
23therefore be it

24RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate March
2513, 2013, as "K9 Veterans and Services Day" in Pennsylvania to
26acknowledge, support and express thanks for the assistance and
27security provided by dogs and their trainers, handlers and other
28helpers in the military, law enforcement and other services
29geared toward protecting life and property in this Commonwealth
30and the nation; and be it further

1RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge all
2governmental agencies and other groups that have and continue to
3use K9-type services to make efforts on March 13, 2013, to
4recognize and appreciate the protection and assistance that such
5services provide to this Commonwealth and the nation in so many
6ways.