Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 105 Part 2.djvu/153

 PUBLIC LAW 102-169—NOV. 26, 1991 105 STAT. 1105 Public Law 102-169 102d Congress Joint Resolution Acknowledging the sacrifices that military families have made on behalf of the j^^^ £6 1991 Nation and designating November 25, 1991, as "National Military Families Recogniii rnDaF " " ^ - -'^ " " -^ [H.J. Res. 215] Whereas the Congress recognizes and supports the Department of Defense policies to recruit, train, equip, retain, and field a military force that is capable of preserving peace and protecting the vital interests of the United States and its allies; Whereas the people of the United States are particularly indebted to and respecting of the family members of the more than 500,000 military personnel activated for Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm; 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 separations from their service members, frequent household moves due to reassignments, and restrictions on their employment and educational opportunities; Whereas 74 percent of officers and 53 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 2,770,000 of the more than 4,841,000 in the active duty community, and spouses and children of members of the Reserves in paid status account for more than 1,317,000 of the more than 2,346,000 in the Reserves community; Whereas spouses, children, and other dependents living abroad with members of the Armed Forces total nearly 487,000, 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) the Congress acknowledges and appreciates the commitment and devotion of present and former military families and 59-139 O - 91 (169)

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