[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 81 (Tuesday, June 2, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S5951]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 165--TO ENCOURAGE RECOGNITION OF 2009 AS THE ``YEAR 
                        OF THE MILITARY FAMILY''

  Mr. LEVIN (for himself, Mr. McCain, Mr. Nelson of Nebraska, and Mr. 
Graham) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 
agreed to:

                              S. Res. 165

       Whereas there are more than 1.8 million family members of 
     regular component members of the Armed Forces and an 
     additional 1.1 million family members of reserve component 
     members;
       Whereas slightly more than half of all members of the 
     regular and reserve components are married, and just over 40 
     percent of military spouses are 30 years or younger and 60 
     percent of military spouses are under 36 years of age;
       Whereas there are nearly 1.2 million children between the 
     ages of birth and 23 years who are dependents of regular 
     component members, and there are over 713,000 children 
     between such ages who are dependents of reserve component 
     members;
       Whereas the largest group of minor children of regular 
     component members consist of children between the ages of 
     birth and 5 years, while the largest group of minor children 
     of reserve component members consist of children between the 
     ages of 6 and 14 years;
       Whereas the needs, resources, and challenges confronting a 
     military family, particularly when a member of the family has 
     been deployed, vastly differ between younger age children and 
     children who are older;
       Whereas the United States recognizes that military families 
     are also serving their country, and the United States must 
     ensure that all the needs of military dependent children are 
     being met, for children of members of both the regular and 
     reserve components;
       Whereas military families often face unique challenges and 
     difficulties that are inherent to military life, including 
     long separations from loved ones, the repetitive demands of 
     frequent deployments, and frequent uprooting of community 
     ties resulting from moves to bases across the country and 
     overseas;
       Whereas thousands of military family members have taken on 
     volunteer responsibilities to assist units and members of the 
     Armed Forces who have been deployed by supporting family 
     readiness groups, helping military spouses meet the demands 
     of a single parent during a deployment, or providing a 
     shoulder to cry on or the comfort of understanding;
       Whereas military families provide members of the Armed 
     Forces with the strength and emotional support that is needed 
     from the home front for members preparing to deploy, who are 
     deployed, or who are returning from deployment;
       Whereas some military families have given the ultimate 
     sacrifice in the loss of a principal family member in defense 
     of the United States; and
       Whereas 2009 would be an appropriate year to designate as 
     the ``Year of the Military Family'': Now, therefore be it
       Resolved by the Senate, That the Senate--
       (1) expresses its deepest appreciation to the families of 
     members of the Armed Forces who serve, or have served, in 
     defense of the United States;
       (2) recognizes the contributions that military families 
     make, and encourages the people of the United States to share 
     their appreciation for the sacrifices military families give 
     on behalf of the United States; and
       (3) encourages the people of the United States and the 
     Department of Defense to observe the ``Year of Military 
     Family'' with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

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