119-hres595

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 595 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
H. RES. 595

 Honoring the brave men and women who participated in the Afghanistan 
 evacuation in 2021 following the United States withdrawal, for their 
extraordinary efforts and exceptional service in the safe evacuation of 
 over 17,000 people from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, and for other 
 purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 July 17, 2025

 Mr. Norman (for himself, Mrs. Miller of Illinois, and Mr. Weber of 
 Texas) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
 Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

 RESOLUTION

 Honoring the brave men and women who participated in the Afghanistan 
 evacuation in 2021 following the United States withdrawal, for their 
extraordinary efforts and exceptional service in the safe evacuation of 
 over 17,000 people from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, and for other 
 purposes.

Whereas the events of August 2021 marked a significant turning point in the 
 history of United States engagement in Afghanistan, as the Nation 
 underwent a process of withdrawal after over two decades of military 
 presence;
Whereas, over the course of those 20 years, countless men and women in uniform 
 made tremendous sacrifices to uphold the principles of democracy and 
 freedom while also honoring the promises made to the Afghan people to 
 build a safer and more prosperous country;
Whereas among these exceptional individuals were the 13 individuals who 
 participated in the Afghanistan evacuation in 2021, serving as a beacon 
 of hope and demonstrating unwavering dedication to the ideals of the 
 United States;
Whereas, when the final withdrawal was announced, Chad Robichaux knew he needed 
 to act, as his combat interpreter, Azizullah Aziz, who had saved his 
 life on countless occasions throughout his 8 deployments to Afghanistan 
 as part of a Joint Special Operations Task Force, was now being hunted 
 and targeted by the Taliban for helping him;
Whereas, determined to save his loyal friend, Chad embarked on a mission that 
 would bring together 12 modern-day avengers, all Special Operations 
 veterans, and 1 determined woman to drop everything and rescue Aziz and 
 his family from Afghanistan, and without hesitation, each member of the 
 team agreed to join the daring mission;
Whereas, in a matter of hours, Chad Robichaux assembled a team and made a 
 crucial call to Sarah Verardo, the wife of a catastrophically wounded 
 soldier from his service in Afghanistan, who miraculously secured their 
 way to Hamid Karzai International Airport

    (HKIA) in Kabul, Afghanistan;
Whereas the 12-man team quickly mobilized, with Chad heading to Abu Dhabi, 
 United Arab Emirates, to establish a humanitarian center for evacuees, 
 and meanwhile, Tim Kennedy, Kevin Rourke, Sean Gabler, and Dave Johnson 
 headed for HKIA itself, setting up a command center at HKIA and nonstop 
 rescue operations amidst Taliban-controlled territory, facing immense 
 danger without a Quick Reaction Force

    (QRF) , and in just 10 days, their 
 unwavering efforts led to the successful rescue of over 12,000 lives;
Whereas, even in the face of tremendous adversity, the team's dedication did not 
 waver;
Whereas, despite Abbey Gate being destroyed and the gates welded shut, they 
 refused to leave, and over the next 2 months, they continued their 
 humanitarian efforts remotely, leading a coalition to rescue an 
 additional 5,000 individuals through alternate routes around the region;
Whereas their commitment and determination made a significant difference during 
 this critical time of need;
Whereas Chad Robichaux's mission did not end with the evacuation from HKIA, and 
 after teaming up with Fellow Force Recon Marine and Scout Sniper, Staff 
 Sergeant Dennis Price, he embarked on a grueling 10-day, 90-mile 
 reconnaissance mission along the Tajikistan and Afghanistan border, 
 swimming into Afghanistan every night past Taliban and Chinese soldiers 
 in order to use their Special Operations experience to build evacuation 
 routes for women and children still trapped in Afghanistan as Afghan 
 Commandos attempted to move them to the Tajikistan border, and braving 
 the treacherous terrain and encounters with foreign militaries, 
 including Chinese, Russian, Tajikistan, and Taliban fighters, they 
 successfully established routes that are still in use today, ensuring 
 more people could find their way to safety;
Whereas the valor and courage displayed by Chad Robichaux, Dennis Price, Tim 
 Kennedy, Kevin Rourke, Sean Gabler, Dave Johnson, Sarah Verardo, Joe 
 Robert, Dan Stinson, Kevin Metcalf, Nick Palmisciano, Hunter Robichaux, 
 and Sean Lee during the Afghanistan evacuation in 2021 exemplify the 
 very essence of United States promises to the Afghan people throughout 
 the 20 years of war;
Whereas their actions served as a powerful testament to the unwavering loyalty 
 and dedication of the United States Armed Forces, reinforcing the 
 Nation's role as a beacon of hope and justice on the global stage, and 
 their commitment to duty and humanity will forever be etched in the 
 Congressional Record as a shining example of United States heroism;
Whereas, under the exceptional leadership of Force Recon Marine Chad Robichaux, 
 this remarkable team of Special Operation veterans took up the charge to 
 protect and evacuate over 17,000 citizens and Afghan allies from 
 Taliban-controlled Afghanistan during a time of unfathomable danger and 
 uncertainty; and
Whereas these individuals have dedicated their lives to protecting our country, 
 putting their own lives on the line to safeguard others, and their 
 heroism deserves great honor: Now, therefore, be it
 Resolved, That the House of Representatives, on behalf of a 
grateful Nation, recognizes and thanks these courageous men and women 
for putting their own lives on the line and for their exemplary service 
in rescuing over 17,000 citizens and Afghan allies from unfathomable 
danger.
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