[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 52 (Thursday, April 3, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S2450]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 500--HONORING MILITARY CHILDREN DURING ``NATIONAL 
                     MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD''

  Mr. KENNEDY (for himself and Mr. Bayh) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services:

                              S. Res. 500

       Whereas more than 2,000,000 men and women are demonstrating 
     their courage and commitment to freedom by serving in the 
     Armed Forces of the United States;
       Whereas 46 percent of members of the Armed Forces, when 
     deployed away from their permanent duty stations, leave 
     families with children behind;
       Whereas no one feels the effect of deployments more than 
     the children of deployed members of the Armed Forces;
       Whereas, as of March 2007, approximately 2,108 children had 
     lost a parent serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and 
     Operation Enduring Freedom;
       Whereas the daily struggles and personal sacrifices of 
     children of members of the Armed Forces too often go 
     unnoticed;
       Whereas the children of members of the Armed Forces are a 
     source of pride and honor to the people of the United States 
     and it is fitting that the Nation recognize their 
     contributions and celebrate their spirit;
       Whereas the ``National Month of the Military Child'', 
     observed in April each year, recognizes military children for 
     their sacrifices and contributes to demonstrating the 
     Nation's unconditional support for members of the Armed 
     Forces;
       Whereas, in addition to Department of Defense programs to 
     support military families and military children, various 
     programs and campaigns have been established in the private 
     sector to honor, support, and thank military children by 
     fostering awareness and appreciation for the sacrifices and 
     the challenges they face; and
       Whereas a month-long salute to military children will 
     encourage support for those organizations and campaigns 
     established to provide direct support for military children 
     and families: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) joins the Secretary of Defense in honoring the children 
     of members of the Armed Forces and recognizes that those 
     children also share in the burden of protecting the Nation;
       (2) urges the people of the United States to join with the 
     military community in observing the ``National Month of the 
     Military Child'' with appropriate ceremonies and activities 
     that honor, support, and thank military children; and
       (3) recognizes with great appreciation the contributions 
     made by private-sector organizations that provide resources 
     and assistance to military families and the communities that 
     support them.

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