A LEGISLATIVE COMMEMORATION, Commending the South Dakota Army National Guard 153rd Engineer Battalion of Huron for being awarded a U.S. Army Deployment Excellence Award and a Department of Defense Reserve Family Readiness Award for the Army National Guard.

    WHEREAS, South Dakota Army National Guard 153rd Engineer Battalion was presented the Army Deployment Excellence Award, recognizing units for outstanding deployment accomplishments and capturing innovative deployment initiatives that improve the Army's deployment process; and

    WHEREAS, for the fifth time in six years, the Department of Defense has awarded a SDARNG unit with the Reserve Family Readiness Award for the Army National Guard and this year presented to the 153rd Engineer Battalion for demonstrating excellence in engaging with and supporting its members' families; and

    WHEREAS, the selection is based on overall combat readiness and the unit's performance with respect to all other Army National Guard units in operational readiness, training, mission execution and completion, property accountability, equipment maintenance, outstanding accomplishments, and special missions all being factored in the evaluation and selection; and

    WHEREAS, the 153rd Engineer Battalion continues to demonstrate support to its community and the State of South Dakota:

    NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT COMMEMORATED, by the Ninety-Fourth Legislature of the State of South Dakota, that the Legislature expresses its respect, commendation, and congratulations to the South Dakota Army National Guard 153rd Engineer Battalion for being awarded the Army Deployment Excellence Award and the Family Readiness Award and recognizes the 153rd Engineer Battalion's outstanding service to the great State of South Dakota and the United States of America.