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[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 686 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>

116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 686

  Honoring the service and sacrifice of members of the United States 
   Armed Forces, veterans, prisoners of war, and Gold Star Families.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 9, 2020

Mrs. Loeffler submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                    the Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
  Honoring the service and sacrifice of members of the United States 
   Armed Forces, veterans, prisoners of war, and Gold Star Families.

Whereas the Nation owes an unmeasurable debt to those individuals who have 
        served in the United States Armed Forces, often shouldering the burden 
        of long periods away from home, difficult and frequently dangerous 
        training and deployments, and inherent physical, mental, and emotional 
        risks;
Whereas the families, communities, and loved ones of members of the Armed Forces 
        support them in countless ways, frequently making sacrifices of their 
        own, especially Gold Star families;
Whereas many who love this country have served in conflicts throughout the 
        Nation's history, whether volunteering so another would not have to go 
        or answering the call when drafted, or out of a profound and selfless 
        sense of duty, some never returning home, some still missing, and some 
        who suffered immense hardship as prisoners of war;
Whereas the Armed Forces defend the Nation against external threats, underpin 
        the increasing safety, security, and prosperity created by a United 
        States-led international order, and constantly contribute to the daily 
        lives of Americans;
Whereas it is a constitutional duty of the first order for the President and the 
        Senate to provide for America's common defense, foremost by supporting 
        our unique All-Volunteer Force and their families;
Whereas the President has requested, and the Senate has voted for, 3 consecutive 
        pay raises for members of the Armed Forces after several years of 
        shrinking military salaries;
Whereas the Senate has passed, and the President has signed into law, landmark 
        military private housing reform to protect military families in their 
        homes;
Whereas the Senate has passed, and the President has signed into law, a historic 
        repeal of the Widow's Tax to recognize the tremendous burden borne by 
        the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice;
Whereas the Senate has passed, and the President has signed into law, 
        significant improvements to military spouse licensing to vastly increase 
        opportunities for military spouses and strengthen military families;
Whereas the Senate has passed, and the President has signed into law, repeated 
        expansions of military childcare and improvements to the military moving 
        process;
Whereas the Senate has passed, and the President has signed into law, honorary 
        promotions for members of the Armed Forces who served heroically in 
        World War II, Vietnam, and Afghanistan, as well as instituted reviews of 
        valor medals for personnel who served in World War I;
Whereas the Senate has passed, and the President has signed into law, billions 
        of dollars of support for United States allies and partners, including 
        lethal assistance to Ukraine against the aggression of the Russian 
        Federation;
Whereas the Senate has passed, and the President has signed into law, defense 
        budgets that reverse the destructive effects of sequestration, restore 
        the readiness of our combat forces, and give members of the Armed Forces 
        the tools they need to defend America;
Whereas the President authorized the successful military operation on January 3, 
        2020, that killed Qasem Soleimani of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard 
        Corps of Iran, who was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of members 
        of the Armed Forces and civilians;
Whereas the President authorized the successful military operation on October 
        26, 2019, that killed Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi of the Islamic State of Iraq 
        and Syria, who was responsible for direct attacks on members of the 
        Armed Forces and the death or displacement of untold numbers of Iraqis, 
        Syrians, and Kurds;
Whereas the President authorized the successful military operation on February 
        7, 2018, against Russian military contractors in Syria that threatened 
        the Armed Forces and aided and abetted the murderous regime of Bashar 
        al-Assad; and
Whereas the President was nominated for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize for his 
        successful efforts to create peace between Israel and the United Arab 
        Emirates: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) will always honor and venerate the service and 
        sacrifice of members of the United States Armed Forces who put 
        the security and safety of the American people ahead of their 
        own self-interest, from those who served in World Wars I and 
        II, Korea, to Vietnam, from the Gulf War and the Balkan 
        conflicts to Iraq and Afghanistan, and from the frontlines of 
        deterring China and Russia and combating terrorism to 
        supporting American communities here at home when natural 
        disasters strike;
            (2) continues to advocate for resources to ensure the Armed 
        Forces will maintain its position as the dominant force for 
        freedom and prosperity in the world; and
            (3) expresses the deepest gratitude to the Gold Star 
        families who have suffered the loss of their loved ones in 
        service to the Nation.
                                 <all>
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