[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 60 (Wednesday, April 25, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E650]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  APRIL IS MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD

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                           HON. STEVE STIVERS

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 25, 2012

  Mr. STIVERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize April as the 
``Month of the Military Child.''
  In 1986, Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger established April as 
the Month of the Military Child. Since then, the communities that 
surround our military families have had the month of April as a time to 
focus on recognizing the important roles that military children play.
  There is no doubt that we owe a great debt and gratitude to our 
military for the unparalleled freedom and opportunity we enjoy in this 
country. But, we need to pause and remember that this is also made 
possible through the dedication and sacrifices made by their families 
and children as well. While I understand it is important to show our 
support for the military and their loved ones every day of the year, I 
welcome the emphasis placed on the children of service members in the 
month of April.
  As a way to offer my continued support and gratitude, I recently 
introduced H.R. 4341, TRICARE for Kids, which would help the Department 
of Defense and its TRICARE program develop and encourage health care 
practices and policies that are designed to address the specific health 
care needs of military children and families. The Department of Defense 
estimates there are approximately 1.9 million military children, and I 
believe we all need to work to ensure they have access to the resources 
and support that best meets their needs--including health care.
  Without the selfless contributions our military and their families 
have made throughout history, our great nation would not have the 
freedom that it does today. Military children are a special part of 
that aspect of our history, as they are the young, brave, and often 
unnoticed heroes who have stood strong alongside their parents who have 
risked their lives and fought for our country and way of life. I thank 
every one of them for what they do, and I would like to ask every 
Member of Congress to join me in offering support throughout this Month 
of the Military Child.

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