House Joint Resolution 9 - Shows Support for Our Troops
ByOn Monday, January 26th the Montana House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted to pass House Joint Resolution 9, introduced by Representative Tim Furey (D) of Piltzville. The Joint Resolution recognizes the dedication, professionalism and bravery of all Montanans who have served and will serve in the armed forces of the United States, as a part of the global war on terror.
There are approximately 1,325 Montanans deployed throughout the world in all branches of the armed forces. Currently Montana has a total of 2,762 actively serving guardsman and women, 2,139 in the Montana National Guard and 623 in the Montana Air National Guard. Between 2001 and 2008, 10,698 Montanan’s have served in the military. In the past three years over 80% of the Montana guardsmen and women have been deployed. There have been 31 soldiers from Montana that have died during active duty since September 2001.
Rep. Furey has strong ties to this joint resolution. His son, 1st Lt. Kevin Furey, joined the Army Reserves in 2001 and was recently deployed for the second time last May and he is currently stationed in Tel Afar, Iraq. Kevin Furey served in the Montana House of Representatives in 2005 and the first part of the 2007 session, before he was called back to active duty. His father, Rep. Tim Furey took over his son’s seat for HD 91 for the remainder of the 2007 legislative session, and was elected to serve in the 2009 session.
On the floor of the House, Furey shared with the legislators the sacrifices that are being made by the soldiers and their family members: leaving spouses, children, parents, and friends; missing births, deaths and graduations; and returning with medical issues; divorce; and loss of jobs.
The joint resolution extends all Montanan’s prayers and heartfelt thanks to those Montanan’s serving in the armed forces and wishes each of them a safe return. Copies of the resolution will be sent to the Montana Congressional Delegation and to the Montana service personnel.
HJR 9 has passed the house and is now going to committee in the Senate.
"I think that it’s going to all work out, with the changes that we have agreed to. It’s not as much (spending for some programs) as I would’ve hoped, but apparently it’s more than other people wanted. As usual, we are trying to find the middle.” 
"[On term limits:] You empower the executive, you empower the lobbyists and that's not good for the system because then we lose what the citizen Legislature brings.” 