[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 188 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

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;
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 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
    Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That--
            (1) the Congress acknowledges and appreciates the 
        commitment and devotion of present and former military families 
        and the sacrifices that such families have made on behalf of 
        the Nation; and
            (2) November 21, 1994 is designated as ``National Military 
        Families Recognition Day''. The President is authorized and 
        requested to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the 
        United States to observe the day with appropriate programs, 
        ceremonies, and activities.

            Passed the House of Representatives, August 5, 1994.

            Attest:

                                           DONNALD K. ANDERSON,

                                                                 Clerk.