Senate Passes "Year Of The Military Family" Resolution

In support of military families nationwide, the Senate Tuesday night passed a resolution sponsored by Nebraska's Senator Ben Nelson and Senators Carl Levin of Michigan, John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina designating the year 2009 as the Year of the Military Family. In addition, Senator Nelson yesterday led a hearing of the Personnel Subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee on federal support efforts for military families.

"The life of a military family member has never been an easy one, but in our eighth year of war, families are facing more hardships, and it is clear that they play a very significant role in serving our country," said Senator Nelson, who is chairman of the personnel subcommittee. "It is my hope that this resolution increases awareness of the great sacrifices military families make and inspire Americans everywhere to express their appreciation. But there is still work to do. In today's hearing we spoke with families about what additional support we can provide during these difficult times."

Panelists spoke of the challenges facing military families as they undergo redeployment of loved ones, permanent changes of station, and readjust to the return of their loved ones post-combat. In his opening remarks, Senator Nelson discussed areas in which the government can provide additional support for families including timely access to mental health resources and programs, financial counseling, job placement, accessing quality health care, and child care.

"These family members are an integral part of the force, and stress on the force affects the overall readiness of our Armed Forces," Senator Nelson said at the hearing. "Military families often face unique challenges and difficulties throughout their loved one's career, including frequent relocations and reassignments to bases across the country and overseas as well as the various demands stemming from continued deployments of members from every service.

"In talking with spouses from my home state of Nebraska, I know how important it is to them that they have base and community support and that they are reached out to once the servicemember is deployed. We in Congress have tried to do our part to help, and have made family support programs and initiatives a priority."

Yesterday's hearing included testimony from Kathleen Moakler, Director of Government Relations for the National Military Family Association; Shelia Casey, wife of General George W. Casey, Jr., Chief of Staff of the United States Army; Jennifer A. Mancini, wife of Chief Petty Officer Steven F. Mancini, United States Navy; Patricia Davis, wife of Chief Master Sergeant James E. Davis, the Command Chief Master Sergeant of the 316th Wing at Andrews Air Force Base; Arthur J. Myers, Principal Director and Acting Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy; Ms. Kathleen Marin, Director, Installation Services, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management, United States Army; Terri J. Rau, Ph.D., Deputy Director for Research and Development and Performance Measurement, Navy Installations Command, United States Navy; Major General Timothy R. Larsen, United States Marine Corps retired, Director, Personal and Family Readiness Division, Manpower and Reserve Affairs Department, United States Marine Corps; and Eliza G. Nesmith, Chief, Airmen and Family Services Division, United States Air Force.

There are more than 1.8 million family members of regular component members of the armed forces; an additional 1.1 million family members of reserve component members. In Nebraska, there are nearly 7,500 families of regular component members of the armed services; more than 7,700 families of reserve component members.

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