III 111th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 165 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

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.