Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 106 Part 4.djvu/827

 PUBLIC LAW 102-540—OCT. 27, 1992 106 STAT. 3563 Public Law 102-540 / 102d Congress Joint Resolution Acknowledging the sacrifices that military families have made on behalf of the f^. ^^,QQ„ Nation and designating November 23, 1992, as 'National Military Families Rec- ^^- '^^ ^^^ ognitionDay". [H.J. Res. 503] 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 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 the 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 72 percent of officers and 54 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 2,815,000 of the more than 4,880,000 individuals in the active duty community, and spouses and children of members of the Reserves in paid status account for more than 1,320,000 of the more than 2,470,000 individuals in the Reserves community; Whereas spouses, children, and other dependents living abroad with members of the Armed Forces total nearly 450,000 and these family members at times face feelings of cultural isolation and financial hardship; Whereas the significantly reduced global military tensions after the end of the Cold war have led to a down-sizing of the national defense and a refocusing of national priorities to strengthening the American economy and competitiveness in the global marketplace; Whereas the Congress is grateful for such sacrifices and is committed to assisting the service members and their families who undergo the transition from active duty to civilian life; 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 -139 O - 92 (540)

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