Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 107 Part 2.djvu/425

 PUBLIC LAW 103-137—NOV. 8, 1993 107 STAT. 1377 Public Law 103-137 103d Congress Joint Resolution Designating November 22, 1993, as "National Military Families Recognition Day". Whereas the Congress recognizes and supports the Department of Defense poUcies 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 74 percent of officers and 55 percent of enlisted personnel in the Armed Forces are married; Whereas families of active duty military personnel (including individuals other than spouses and children) comprise more than one-half of the active duty community of the Armed Forces, and spouses and children of members of the reserve component of the Armed Forces in paid status comprise more than onehalf of the individuals constituting the reserve component of the Armed Forces community; Whereas hundreds of thousands of spouses, children, and other dependents living abroad with members of the Armed Forces face financial hardship and feelings of cultural isolation; Whereas the significantly reduced global military tensions following the end of the Cold War have resulted in a down-sizing of the national defense and a refocusing of national priorities on strengthening the American economy and increasing competitiveness in the global marketplace; Whereas the Congress is grateful for the sacrifices of military families and is committed to assisting the service members and their families who undergo the transition from active duty to civilian Ufe; and Nov. 8, 1993 [S.J. Res. 115]

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