[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Pages 2068-2069]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    SENATE RESOLUTION 33--DESIGNATING MAY 1999 AS NATIONAL MILITARY 
                           APPRECIATION MONTH

  Mr. McCAIN (for himself, Mr. Warner, Mr. Levin, Mr. Thurmond, Mr. 
Kennedy, Mr. Smith of New Hampshire, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. 
Cleland, Ms. Landrieu, and Mr. Allard) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                               S. Res. 33

       Whereas the freedom and security that United States 
     citizens enjoy today are results of the vigilant commitment 
     of the United States Armed Forces in preserving the freedom 
     and security;
       Whereas it is appropriate to promote national awareness of 
     the sacrifices that members of the United States Armed Forces 
     have made in the past and continue to make every day in order 
     to support the Constitution and to preserve the freedoms and 
     liberties that enrich the Nation;
       Whereas it is important to preserve and foster the honor 
     and respect that the United States Armed Forces deserve for 
     vital service on behalf of the United States;
       Whereas it is appropriate to emphasize the importance of 
     the United States Armed Forces to all persons in the United 
     States;
       Whereas it is important to instill in the youth in the 
     United States the significance of the contributions that 
     members of the United States Armed Forces have made in 
     securing and protecting the freedoms that United States 
     citizens enjoy today;
       Whereas it is appropriate to underscore the vital support 
     and encouragement that families of members of the United 
     States Armed Forces lend to the strength and commitment of 
     those members;
       Whereas it is important to inspire greater love for the 
     United States and encourage greater support for the role of 
     the United States Armed Forces in maintaining the superiority 
     of the United States as a nation and in contributing to world 
     peace;
       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 important to give greater recognition for the 
     dedication and sacrifices that individuals who serve in the 
     United States Armed Forces have made and continue to make on 
     behalf of the United States;
       Whereas it is appropriate to display the proper honor and 
     pride United States citizens feel towards members of the 
     United States Armed Forces for their service;
       Whereas it is important to reflect upon the sacrifices made 
     by members of the United States Armed Forces and to show 
     appreciation for such service;
       Whereas it is appropriate to recognize, honor, and 
     encourage the dedication and commitment of members of the 
     United States Armed Forces in serving the United States; and
       Whereas it is important to acknowledge the contributions of 
     the many individuals who have served in the United States 
     Armed Forces since inception of the Armed Forces: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates May 1999 as ``National Military Appreciation 
     Month''; and
       (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling upon the people of the United States to recognize and 
     honor the dedication and commitment of the members of the 
     United States Armed Forces and to observe the month with 
     appropriate ceremonies and activities.

 Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I rise today to submit legislation, 
cosponsored by Senators Warner and Levin and other members of the Armed 
Services Committee, to designate May 1999 as National Military 
Appreciation Month. I would like to emphasize at the outset the role of 
the United Services Organization, the USO, in approaching me to ask 
that I submit this resolution. I am honored that an organization so 
central to the quality of the lives of our service personnel for so 
many decades chose me as the one to carry this legislation forward.
  Last week, I joined with a number of my colleagues on the Armed 
Services Committee to report to the Senate S. 4, the Soldiers', 
Sailors', Airmen's, and Marines' Bill of Rights of 1999. That 
legislation addresses areas identified by the Joint Chiefs of Staff as 
their highest priorities in resolving the growing readiness problems 
afflicting the Armed Forces. By restoring the retirement system that 
existed prior to 1986 and taking concrete measures to close the pay gap 
and remove military families from the rolls of those eligible for food 
stamps, I am confident that S. 4 will go a long way toward alleviating 
the retention and recruitment problems that have contributed so much to 
the recent decline in military readiness.
  It is out of concern for the welfare of the men and women who wear 
the uniform of our nation's armed forces that S. 4 was passed so early 
in the legislative year by the Armed Services Committee. It is out of a 
sense of pride in those same men and women that I offer this resolution 
designating May as National Military Appreciation Month.

[[Page 2069]]

  During May 1999, we will observe Victory in Europe Day, Military 
Spouse Day, Armed Forces Day, and, most importantly, Memorial Day. It 
is appropriate that, with our armed forces currently operating in 
Bosnia, Macedonia, Haiti, and the Persian Gulf, and conducting routine 
peacetime activities too numerous to list in support of U.S. foreign 
policy in virtually every part of the globe, that the nation dedicate 
that month to remind itself of the contribution these individuals make 
to the preservation of a way of life increasingly taken for granted.
  It has become almost platitudinous to point out the increased burden 
placed on a smaller military since the dissolution of the Soviet Union 
and the end of the Cold War. Our military forces are being sent into 
harm's way more often than during any period since the Vietnam War, 
with additional deployments contemplated as I speak. Strong economic 
growth and low unemployment have reduced the incentive on the part of 
many young people to enlist in the Armed Forces, thereby further 
diminishing the percentage of Americans exposed to military service. By 
designating May 1999 as National Military Appreciation Month, it is my 
hope that the country will be more inclined to reflect on the 
sacrifices of so many throughout our history and today, and to better 
understand why we in Congress are acting so hastily to address quality 
of life issues affecting our service personnel and their families. My 
good friend, Duncan Hunter, has offered companion legislation in the 
House of Representatives, and I look forward to speedy passage of this 
bill in the weeks ahead.
 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I am pleased to join my friend 
Senator McCain in submitting this resolution designating May 1999 as 
``National Military Appreciation Month.'' Senator McCain is one of the 
great champions in the Senate of the men and women who serve in our 
armed forces. It is a privilege to join him in sponsoring this 
resolution.
  Day after day, our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines continue to 
demonstrate a high degree of excellence and commitment. No matter what 
we ask of them, they always respond in the most professional manner 
imaginable. We have asked them to serve in combat operations, in 
peacekeeping missions, and in humanitarian relief efforts. We have 
deployed them around the world to stand in the face of aggression. They 
make tremendous personal sacrifices to serve their nation.
  The most recent example of the excellence and professionalism of our 
forces was Operation Desert Fox. Over 40,000 troops deployed from bases 
around the world in response to Saddam Hussein's flagrant defiance of 
UN authorized inspections. Without a single U.S. or British casualty, 
our troops flew more than 600 aircraft sorties, 300 of them a night. 
Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines all participated in this flawless 
operation. This same excellence has been demonstrated in Bosnia, Korea, 
Central America, and every other place where our members serve.
  Our troops are, quite simply, the best. They are the best trained, 
best equipped, best disciplined and most highly skilled and motivated 
military force in the world. They deserve the recognition of a grateful 
Nation. This resolution calls on all Americans to recognize and honor 
their dedication and service. It is the least we can do.

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