[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 165 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 165

  To encourage the recognition of 2009 as the ``Year of the Military 
                               Family''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              June 2, 2009

  Mr. Levin (for himself, Mr. McCain, Mr. Nelson of Nebraska, and Mr. 
 Graham) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 
                               agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  To encourage the recognition of 2009 as the ``Year of the Military 
                               Family''.

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
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (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) encourages the people of the United States and the 
        Department of Defense to observe the ``Year of Military 
        Family'' with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
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