Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 103 Part 1.djvu/977

 PUBLIC LAW 101-160—NOV. 17, 1989 103 STAT. 949 Public Law 101-160 101st Congress Joint Resolution Acknowledging the sacrifices that military families have made on behalf of the j^ j^ -j^ggg Nation and designating November 20, 1989, as "National Military Families Recog- ' nitionDay". [S.J. Res. 215] Whereas Congress recognizes and supports Department of Defense policies to recruit, train, equip, retain, and field a military force that is capable of preserving peace and protecting the vital in- terests of the United States and its allies; Whereas military families shoulder the responsibility of providing emotional support for their service members; Whereas in times of war and military action military families have demonstrated their patriotism through their steadfast support and commitment to the Nation; Whereas the emotional and mental readiness of United States military personnel around the world is tied to the well-being and satisfaction of their families; Whereas the quality of life that the Armed Forces provide to military families is a key factor in the retention of military personnel; Whereas the people of the United States are truly indebted to military families for facing adversities, including extended separa- tions from their service members, frequent household moves due to reassignments, and restrictions on their emplo)ment and edu- cational opportunities; Whereas 68 percent of officers and 48 percent of enlisted personnel in the Armed Forces are married; Whereas families of active duty military personnel (including individuals other than spouses or children) account for more than two million seven hundred thousand of the more than four million eight hundred thousand in the active duty community, and spouses and children of members of the Reserves in paid status account for more than one million five hundred thousand of the more than two million seven hundred thousand in the Reserves community; Whereas spouses, children, and other dependents living abroad with members of the Armed Forces total nearly five hundred thousand and these family members at times face feelings of cultural isolation and financial hardship; and Whereas military families are devoted to the overall mission of the Department of Defense and have accepted the role of the United States as the military leader and protector of the free world: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That— (1) Congress acknowledges and appreciates the commitment and devotion of present and former military femiilies and the sacrifices that such families have made on behalf of the Nation; and

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