[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 6]
[House]
[Page 8439]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1915
                  NATIONAL MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH

  (Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize May as 
National Military Appreciation Month, and Memorial Day right around the 
corner.
  Our military members make countless sacrifices every day--sacrifices 
that many of us can't imagine. They put their lives on the line for our 
freedom and our safety, and they do it expecting nothing in return.
  This month, we honor the brave Americans who serve in our Armed 
Forces, including our guardsmen and reservists. We appreciate military 
spouses for their strength and their loyalty. And we remember the 
heroes who have died while serving our country.
  As the cofounder of the Military Family Caucus, I recognize that when 
a servicemember joins the military, it is not just a job, it is a 
family commitment to our country.
  As the House considers the National Defense Authorization Act this 
week, I want to encourage the Secretary of Defense to continue working 
to reduce unemployment and underemployment of military spouses and 
support closing the wage gap between military spouses and their 
civilian counterparts.
  This month, I offer great thanks and appreciation to our military men 
and women and their families because they deserve our gratitude for the 
sacrifices they have made, and they are essential to keeping America 
safe.
  Yes, May marks National Military Appreciation Month, but really, 
every month the members of our military--and their families--should be 
celebrated, appreciated, and thanked for the commitment they have made.

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