PRINTER'S NO. 344 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE RESOLUTION No.37 Session of 2025 INTRODUCED BY KRUEGER, VENKAT, HILL-EVANS, BURGOS, GIRAL, FREEMAN, KHAN, REICHARD, PIELLI, SANCHEZ, GUENST, DEASY, STEELE, SCHLOSSBERG, NEILSON, CERRATO AND HADDOCK, JANUARY 28, 2025 REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, JANUARY 28, 2025 A RESOLUTION Designating March 13, 2025, as "K9 Veterans Awareness and Services Day" in Pennsylvania. WHEREAS, Throughout the history of this Commonwealth and the nation, thousands of dogs and their handlers, trainers and other helpers have served in the military, law enforcement and various other capacities with honor, dignity and valor to protect life, liberty and property; and WHEREAS, The official United States K9 Corps was created on March 13, 1942, for service in World War II and beyond; and WHEREAS, Joseph J. White, a retired military working dog handler, established "K9 Veterans Day," an annual day of recognition on March 13 to raise awareness throughout the country of the important services dogs and their handlers, trainers and other helpers provide in the military, law enforcement and various other capacities; and WHEREAS, Many residents of this Commonwealth participate in 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 working dog training and operational activities to protect lives and property; and WHEREAS, Dogs and their handlers, trainers and other helpers are involved in customs, search and rescue, border patrol, police services, Secret Service and drug enforcement and serve in many other capacities, all of which deserve recognition; and WHEREAS, Military working dogs save and protect our way of life in this Commonwealth and the nation through their roles in the war on terror and other military conflicts; and WHEREAS, The military, law enforcement and many other government agencies and groups recognize working dogs as being loyal, loving and devoted; and WHEREAS, Working dogs are known for placing themselves in harm's way to protect their handlers, trainers and other helpers; and WHEREAS, "K9 Veterans Awareness and Services Day" also recognizes service dogs that help people with disabilities and support animals for people with mental health issues; therefore be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate March 13, 2025, as "K9 Veterans Awareness and Services Day" in Pennsylvania to acknowledge, support and express gratitude for the laudable services provided by working dogs and their handlers, trainers and other helpers; and be it further RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge all government agencies and other groups that use working dogs to make efforts on March 13, 2025, to recognize and appreciate the protection and assistance working dogs provide to this Commonwealth and the nation. 20250HR0037PN0344 - 2 - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29