[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 24 (Tuesday, March 7, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1242-S1243]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 266--DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF MAY EVERY YEAR FOR THE 
        NEXT 5 YEARS AS ``NATIONAL MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH''

  Mr. LOTT (for Mr. McCain (for himself, Mr. Hagel, Mr. Thompson, and 
Mr. DeWine)) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 266

       Whereas the freedom and security that citizens of the 
     United States enjoy today are direct results of the vigilance 
     of the United States Armed Forces;
       Whereas recognizing contributions made by members of the 
     United States Armed Forces will increase national awareness 
     of the sacrifices that such members have made to preserve the 
     freedoms and liberties that enrich this Nation;
       Whereas it is important to preserve and foster admiration 
     and respect for the service provided by members of the United 
     States Armed Forces;
       Whereas it is vital for youth in the United States to 
     understand that the service provided by members of the United 
     States Armed Forces has secured and protected the freedoms 
     that United States citizens enjoy today;
       Whereas it is important to recognize the unfailing support 
     that families of members of the United States Armed Forces 
     have provided to such members during their service and how 
     such support strengthens the vitality of our Nation;
       Whereas recognizing the role that the United States Armed 
     Forces plays in maintaining the superiority of the United 
     States as a nation and in contributing to world peace will 
     increase awareness of all contributions made by such Forces;
       Whereas it is appropriate to recognize the importance of 
     maintaining a strong, equipped, well-educated, well-trained 
     military for the United States to safeguard freedoms, 
     humanitarianism, and peacekeeping efforts around the world;
       Whereas it is proper to foster and cultivate the honor and 
     pride that citizens of the United States feel towards members 
     of the United States Armed Forces for the protection and 
     service that such members provide;
       Whereas recognizing the many sacrifices made by members of 
     the United States Armed Forces is important; and
       Whereas it is proper to recognize and honor the dedication 
     and commitment of members of the United States Armed Forces, 
     and to show appreciation for all contributions made by such 
     members since the inception of the Armed Forces: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the month of May every year for the next 5 
     years as ``National Military Appreciation Month''; and
       (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling upon the people of the United States and interested 
     groups to observe such month with appropriate ceremonies and 
     activities.

  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I rise today to submit along with Senators 
Hagel, DeWine, and Thompson a resolution to designate the month of May 
as National Military Appreciation Month. As my colleagues may recall, I 
had sponsored a resolution earlier in the year, cosponsored by 61 
senators, designating May 1999 as National Military Appreciation Month. 
That resolution, S. Res. 33, passed by a vote of 93-0 on March 30.
  Subsequent to passage of S. Res. 33, I introduced S. 1419, which 
would have made that designation permanent by amending Title 36 of the 
U.S. Code. To date, S. 1419 has 66 cosponsors. Because of the failure 
of S. 1419 to pass, I have agreed to submit a revised resolution 
designating May National Military Appreciation Month for the next five 
years, and requesting the President issue a proclamation calling for 
the American people and interested groups to observe such months with 
appropriate ceremonies and activities. It is my hope that this new 
resolution will receive the Senate's favorable consideration.
  The introduction of an All-Volunteer Army was an outgrowth of the 
disenchantment many Americans felt in the wake of the Vietnam War. The 
end of conscription and the transition to the All-Volunteer concept has 
been criticized by some for not adequately reflecting socioeconomic 
divisions without our country. In point of fact, however, with the 
requisite attention and care, it produced the finest armed forces in 
history. How far we had come since the tumultuous times of the 1970s 
when military readiness descended to abysmal levels was evident for all 
the world to see in the overwhelming victory over Iraqi forces during 
Operation Desert Storm. But that success has been taken for granted too 
long. Over 15 years of declining military budgets, combined with record 
high levels of deployments, have stretched the military to precarious 
levels.
  The end of conscription had another, more far-reaching and subtle 
implication: it diminished the percentage of the public, including its 
elected officials, with military experience. This is not a criticism of 
those who did not serve; on the contrary, as a strong supporter of the 
All-Volunteer Army, I remain committed to its survival and success. 
This gradual diminishment in the shared experience of having served in 
uniform, however, makes it increasingly important that the public 
reflect every year on the enormous role their armed forces have on 
preserving freedom.
  As thousands of American soldiers serve increasingly hazardous duty 
in Kosovo, while others continue to serve in Bosnia as well as on the 
demilitarized zone in Korea and around the world, it is imperative that 
our men and women in uniform know of the strong continuing support of 
their country for their dedication and service to this country. Whether 
we individually agree with each and every deployment or not, we have 
learned to separate our support for the armed forces from our 
differences over the policies that sent them into harm's way. 
Dedicating one month every year to express our appreciation for the 
armed forces, the same month in which we recognize Victory in Europe 
Day, Military Spouse Day, Armed Forces Day, and, most importantly, 
Memorial Day, is an appropriate measure that I hope will have the 
support of all my colleagues in Congress.

  Mr. President, I generally take a somewhat dim view of celebratory 
resolutions. But those who fought on the battlefields of Lexington, 
Gettysburg, Normandy, in the Ardennes and on Okinawa, in Hue and at Khe 
Sanh, in the deserts of the Persian Gulf and the dusty streets of 
Mogadishu, in the skies over Kosovo and who stand a lonely vigil on the 
DMZ, must not be forgotten. Too much blood has been spilled in defense 
of liberty. We owe to those who perished and those who survived, to 
devote one month out of the

[[Page S1243]]

year to reflect on the sacrifices of those who have worn their nation's 
uniform throughout its history.
  Mr. President, I request that the attached correspondence in support 
of S. 1419 from the Military Coalition be made a part of the Record.
  There being no objection, the letter was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                       The Military Coalition,

                                Alexandria, VA, February 28, 2000.
     Hon. John McCain,
     Senate Armed Services Committee,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator McCain: The Military Coalition, a consortium 
     of nationally-prominent uniformed services and veterans 
     organizations, representing more than 5.5 million members of 
     the uniformed services plus their families and survivors urge 
     you to encourage your colleagues on the Judiciary Committee 
     to render a favorable report on S. 1419, to designate May as 
     National Military Appreciation Month. S. 1419 is a follow-on 
     to S. Res. 33, which the Senate approved last year by a vote 
     of 93-0. That resolution designated May 1999 as National 
     Military Appreciation Month; S. 1419 will make that 
     designation permanent.
       Over the three decades since the advent of the All 
     Volunteer Force, a seemingly impossible challenge has been 
     met with spectacular results. Instead of a uniformed service 
     comprised of conscripts, we are blessed with high quality 
     volunteers from all walks of life. Active, Guard and Reserve 
     forces have responded commendably to the increased operations 
     and personnel tempos and in return, deserve this special 
     recognition of a grateful nation.
       Another compelling reason for approving this legislation is 
     that the gradual decrease in the shared experience of having 
     served in uniform, makes it increasingly important that the 
     public reflect every year on the enormous role that their 
     armed forces have on preserving freedom. As we commit 
     thousands of servicemembers to missions around the world it 
     is imperative that they know of the strong and enduring 
     support of their country for their dedication and service. We 
     owe it to those who paid the ultimate price and those who 
     survived, to devote one month out of the year to reflect on 
     the sacrifices of those who have worn their nation's uniform 
     throughout its history.
       Please demonstrate your commitment to them by acting 
     promptly to bring S. 1419 to the Senate floor for action.
           Sincerely,
     The Military Coalition.

                          ____________________