Whereas there are more than 1.8 million family members of
regular component members of the Armed Forces and an additional 1.1 million
family members of reserve component members;
Whereas slightly more than half of all members of the
regular and reserve components are married, and just over 40 percent of
military spouses are 30 years or younger and 60 percent of military spouses are
under 36 years of age;
Whereas there are nearly 1.2 million children between the
ages of birth and 23 years who are dependents of regular component members, and
there are over 713,000 children between such ages who are dependents of reserve
component members;
Whereas the largest group of minor children of regular
component members consist of children between the ages of birth and 5 years,
while the largest group of minor children of reserve component members consist
of children between the ages of 6 and 14 years;
Whereas the needs, resources, and challenges confronting a
military family, particularly when a member of the family has been deployed,
vastly differ between younger age children and children who are older;
Whereas the United States recognizes that military
families are also serving their country, and the United States must ensure that
all the needs of military dependent children are being met, for children of
members of both the regular and reserve components;
Whereas military families often face unique challenges and
difficulties that are inherent to military life, including long separations
from loved ones, the repetitive demands of frequent deployments, and frequent
uprooting of community ties resulting from moves to bases across the country
and overseas;
Whereas thousands of military family members have taken on
volunteer responsibilities to assist units and members of the Armed Forces who
have been deployed by supporting family readiness groups, helping military
spouses meet the demands of a single parent during a deployment, or providing a
shoulder to cry on or the comfort of understanding;
Whereas military families provide members of the Armed
Forces with the strength and emotional support that is needed from the home
front for members preparing to deploy, who are deployed, or who are returning
from deployment;
Whereas some military families have given the ultimate
sacrifice in the loss of a principal family member in defense of the United
States; and
Whereas 2009 would be an appropriate year to designate as
the Year of the Military Family
: Now, therefore, be it
That Congress—
(1)expresses its
deepest appreciation to the families of members of the Armed Forces who serve,
or have served, in defense of the United States;
(2)recognizes the contributions that military
families make, and encourages the people of the United States to share their
appreciation for the sacrifices military families give on behalf of the United
States; and
(3)urges the
President—
(A)to designate a
Year of the Military Family
; and
(B)to encourage the
people of the United States and the Department of Defense to observe the
Year of Military Family
with appropriate ceremonies and
activities.
Passed the House of
Representatives March 11, 2009.
Lorraine C. Miller,
Clerk.