III 110th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 692 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 27 (legislative day, September 17), 2008 Mr. Reid (for Mr. Biden (for himself, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Coleman, Mr. Casey, Mrs. Lincoln, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. Rockefeller, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Obama, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Nelson of Florida, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Bunning, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Hagel, Mr. Allard, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Tester, Mr. Inhofe, Mrs. Feinstein, and Mr. Stevens)) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating the week of November 9 through November 15, 2008, as National Veterans Awareness Week to emphasize the need to develop educational programs regarding the contributions of veterans to the country.

Whereas tens of millions of Americans have served in the Armed Forces of the United States during the past century; Whereas hundreds of thousands of Americans have given their lives while serving in the Armed Forces during the past century; Whereas the contributions and sacrifices of the men and women who served in the Armed Forces have been vital in maintaining the freedoms and way of life enjoyed by the people of the United States; Whereas the advent of the all-volunteer Armed Forces has resulted in a sharp decline in the number of individuals and families who have had any personal connection with the Armed Forces; Whereas this reduction in familiarity with the Armed Forces has resulted in a marked decrease in the awareness by young people of the nature and importance of the accomplishments of those who have served in the Armed Forces, despite the current educational efforts of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the veterans service organizations; Whereas the system of civilian control of the Armed Forces makes it essential that the future leaders of the Nation understand the history of military action and the contributions and sacrifices of those who conduct such actions; and Whereas in each of the years 2000 through 2007 the Senate has recognized the need to increase the understanding of the contributions of veterans among school-aged children by approving a resolution recognizing the week containing Veterans Day as National Veterans Awareness Week: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)designates the week of November 9 through November 15, 2008, as National Veterans Awareness Week for the purpose of emphasizing educational efforts directed at elementary and secondary school students concerning the contributions and sacrifices of veterans; and (2)encourages the people of the United States to observe National Veterans Awareness Week with appropriate educational activities.