IIA

103D CONGRESS

2ND SESSION H. J. RES. 188

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

AUGUST 10 (legislative day, AUGUST 8), 1994

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

JOINT RESOLUTION

Designating November 21, 1994, as ‘‘National Military

Families Recognition Day’’.

Whereas the Congress recognizes and supports the Department of Defense policies to recruit, train, equip, retain,

and field a military force that is capable of preserving

peace and protecting the vital interests of the United

States and its allies;

Whereas military families shoulder the responsibility of providing emotional support for their service members;

Whereas, in times of war and military action, military families have demonstrated their patriotism through their

steadfast support and commitment to the Nation;
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Whereas the emotional and mental readiness of the United

States military personnel around the world is tied to the

well-being and satisfaction of their families;

Whereas the quality of life that the Armed Forces provide to

military families is a key factor in the retention of military personnel;

Whereas the people of the United States are truly indebted

to military families for facing adversities, including extended separations from their service members, frequent

household moves due to reassignments, and restrictions

on their employment and educational opportunities;

Whereas 75 percent of officers and 57 percent of enlisted

personnel in the Armed Forces are married;

Whereas families of active duty military personnel (including

individuals other than spouses and children) account for

more than half of the active duty community, and

spouses and children of members of the Reserves in paid

status account for more than half of the individuals in

the Reserves community;

Whereas hundreds of thousands of spouses, children, and

other dependents living abroad with members of the

Armed Forces face feelings of cultural isolation and financial hardship;

Whereas the significantly reduced global military tensions

after the end of the cold war have led to a down-sizing

of the national defense and a refocusing on national priorities to strengthening the American economy and competitiveness in the global marketplace;

Whereas the Congress is grateful for such sacrifices and is

committed to assisting the service members and their
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families who undergo the transition from active duty to

civilian life; and

Whereas military families are devoted to the overall mission

of the Department of Defense and have accepted the role

of the United States as the military leader and protector

of the free world: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives

2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

3 That—

4 (1) the Congress acknowledges and appreciates

5 the commitment and devotion of present and former

6 military families and the sacrifices that such families

7 have made on behalf of the Nation; and

8 (2) November 21, 1994 is designated as ‘‘Na9 tional Military Families Recognition Day’’. The

10 President is authorized and requested to issue a

11 proclamation calling on the people of the United

12 States to observe the day with appropriate pro13 grams, ceremonies, and activities.

Passed the House of Representatives, August 5,

1994.

Attest: DONNALD K. ANDERSON,

Clerk.