[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 137 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 137

    Honoring the volunteers of the Coast Guard Ombudsman program on 
                      Ombudsman Appreciation Day.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 29, 2023

  Ms. Cantwell (for herself, Mr. Cruz, Ms. Baldwin, and Mr. Sullivan) 
 submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Honoring the volunteers of the Coast Guard Ombudsman program on 
                      Ombudsman Appreciation Day.

Whereas the Coast Guard Ombudsman program was formally established by Admiral 
        James S. Gracey, the 17th Commandant of the Coast Guard, to provide a 
        link between the Coast Guard command and Coast Guard families through 
        the engagement of spouses of members of the Coast Guard;
Whereas the leadership of Wanda Allen-Yearout for over 36 years helped establish 
        and shape the Coast Guard Ombudsman program into the robust volunteer 
        force it is today;
Whereas Ombudsman Appreciation Day is celebrated on March 26, 2023, to honor 
        Coast Guard ombudsmen for the dedicated service they provide to the 
        mission-ready workforce of the Coast Guard;
Whereas Coast Guard ombudsmen serve as volunteers--

    (1) providing information and referral resources; and

    (2) acting as advocates for the families of members of the Coast Guard;

Whereas the selfless Coast Guard ombudsmen volunteers are essential to the 
        success of the Coast Guard, supporting families to enable service 
        members and service commands to focus on mission requirements;
Whereas, in 2022, Coast Guard service members were helping the public and 
        carrying out missions, and ombudsmen across the Coast Guard were helping 
        by making over 350,000 contacts with, and volunteering more than 13,000 
        hours to assist, Coast Guard families;
Whereas, recognizing that military service involves sacrifices and difficulties 
        with separation from family, frequent moves, new schools, and long 
        distances from loved ones, Coast Guard ombudsmen respond to ensure 
        military families are not alone by providing vital information to 
        facilitate the transitions of those families to new assignments and to 
        overcome family challenges;
Whereas Coast Guard ombudsmen were vital to supporting family members after the 
        terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001, the most extensive 
        organizational transformation of the Coast Guard since World War II;
Whereas, as the Coast Guard responded to and rescued displaced people during 
        Hurricane Katrina, Coast Guard ombudsmen, often consisting of spouses of 
        Coast Guard rescuers and hurricane evacuees--

    (1) tracked and accounted for Coast Guard families;

    (2) rendered assistance; and

    (3) communicated vital evacuation information;

Whereas, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Coast Guard ombudsmen recognized 
        challenges and ensured the operational readiness of the Coast Guard was 
        maintained by providing direct support to Coast Guard families; and
Whereas, by volunteering on the home front, being available for Coast Guard 
        families, and helping Coast Guard families obtain the resources and 
        information necessary for success, Coast Guard ombudsmen help ensure 
        that members of the Coast Guard and their families remain ``Always 
        Ready'' to meet the needs of the United States: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) celebrates Ombudsman Appreciation Day and Coast Guard 
        ombudsmen on March 26, 2023;
            (2) is grateful to the women and men who volunteer their 
        time as Coast Guard ombudsmen to assist the families of members 
        of the Coast Guard; and
            (3) congratulates the volunteers of the Coast Guard 
        Ombudsman program on 37 years of service.
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