[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 13923]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    NATIONAL VETERANS AWARENESS WEEK

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 502, S. Res. 293.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 293) designating the week of November 
     10 through November 16, 2002, as ``National Veterans 
     Awareness Week'' to emphasize the need to develop educational 
     programs regarding the contributions of veterans to the 
     country.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
and preamble be agreed to en bloc, the motion to reconsider be laid on 
the table, and that any statements relating thereto be printed in the 
Record at the appropriate place as if given, without intervening action 
or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 293) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 293

       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 our freedoms and way of life;
       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 our Armed Forces, despite the 
     current educational efforts of the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs and the veterans service organizations;
       Whereas our 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 on October 30, 2001, President George W. Bush 
     issued a proclamation urging all Americans to observe 
     November 11 through November 17, 2001, as National Veterans 
     Awareness Week: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the week of November 10 through November 16, 
     2002, 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) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling on the people of the United States to observe 
     National Veterans Awareness Week with appropriate educational 
     activities.

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