[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 145 (Friday, October 7, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 7, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
               NATIONAL MILITARY FAMILIES RECOGNITION DAY

  The text of the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 209) designating November 
21, 1994, as ``National Military Families Recognition Day'', as passed 
by the Senate on October 6, 1994, is as follows:

                             S.J. Res. 209

       Whereas the Congress recognizes and supports the Department 
     of Defense policies to recruit, train, equip, retain, and 
     field a military force that is capable of preserving peace 
     and protecting the vital interests of the United States and 
     its allies;
       Wheras military families shoulder the responsibility of 
     providing emotional support for their service members;
       Whereas, in times of war and military action, military 
     families have demonstrated their patriotism through their 
     steadfast support and commitment to the Nation;
       Whereas the emotional and mental readiness of the United 
     States military personnel around the world is tied to the 
     well-being and satisfaction of their families;
       Whereas the quality of life that the Armed Forces provide 
     to military families is a key factor in the retention of 
     military personnel;
       Whereas the people of the United States are truly indebted 
     to military families for facing adversities, including 
     extended separations from their service members, frequent 
     household moves due to reassignments, and restrictions on 
     their employment and educational opportunities;
       Whereas 75 percent of officers and 57 percent of enlisted 
     personnel in the Armed Forces are married;
       Whereas families of active duty military personnel 
     (including individuals other than spouses and children) 
     comprise more than one-half of the active duty community of 
     the Armed Forces, and spouses and children of members of the 
     reserve component of the Armed Forces in paid status comprise 
     more than one-half of the individuals constituting the 
     reserve component of the Armed Forces community;
       Whereas hundreds of thousands of spouses, children, and 
     other dependents living abroad with members of the Armed 
     Forces face financial hardship and feelings of cultural 
     isolation;
       Whereas the significantly reduced global military tensions 
     following the end of the Cold War have resulted in a 
     downsizing of the national defense and a refocusing of 
     national priorities on strengthening the American economy and 
     increasing competitiveness in the global marketplace;
       Whereas the Congress is grateful for the sacrifices of 
     military families and is committed to assisting the service 
     members and their families who undergo the transition from 
     active duty to civilian life; and
       Whereas military families are devoted to the overall 
     mission of the Department of Defense and have supported the 
     role of the United States as the military leader and 
     protector of the Free World: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and House Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled, That November 
     21, 1994, is designated as ``National Military Families 
     Recognition Day'' in appreciation of the commitment and 
     devotion of present and former military families and the 
     sacrifices that such families have made on behalf of the 
     Nation and the President is authorized and requested to issue 
     a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to 
     observe the day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and 
     activities.

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