[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 155 (Saturday, September 27, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S10020]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    NATIONAL VETERANS AWARENESS WEEK

  The resolution (S. Res. 692) designating the week of November 9 
through November 15, 2008, as ``National Veterans Awareness Week'' to 
emphasize the need to develop educational programs regarding the 
contributions of veterans to the country was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 692

       Whereas tens of millions of Americans have served in the 
     Armed Forces of the United States during the past century;
       Whereas hundreds of thousands of Americans have given their 
     lives while serving in the Armed Forces during the past 
     century;
       Whereas the contributions and sacrifices of the men and 
     women who served in the Armed Forces have been vital in 
     maintaining the freedoms and way of life enjoyed by the 
     people of the United States;
       Whereas the advent of the all-volunteer Armed Forces has 
     resulted in a sharp decline in the number of individuals and 
     families who have had any personal connection with the Armed 
     Forces;
       Whereas this reduction in familiarity with the Armed Forces 
     has resulted in a marked decrease in the awareness by young 
     people of the nature and importance of the accomplishments of 
     those who have served in the Armed Forces, despite the 
     current educational efforts of the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs and the veterans service organizations;
       Whereas the system of civilian control of the Armed Forces 
     makes it essential that the future leaders of the Nation 
     understand the history of military action and the 
     contributions and sacrifices of those who conduct such 
     actions; and
       Whereas in each of the years 2000 through 2007 the Senate 
     has recognized the need to increase the understanding of the 
     contributions of veterans among school-aged children by 
     approving a resolution recognizing the week containing 
     Veterans Day as ``National Veterans Awareness Week'': Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the week of November 9 through November 15, 
     2008, as ``National Veterans Awareness Week'' for the purpose 
     of emphasizing educational efforts directed at elementary and 
     secondary school students concerning the contributions and 
     sacrifices of veterans; and
       (2) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
     National Veterans Awareness Week with appropriate educational 
     activities.

                          ____________________