Recognizing and Honoring Military Unit Family Support Volunteers

RECOGNIZING AND HONORING MILITARY UNIT FAMILY SUPPORT VOLUNTEERS -- (House of Representatives - September 22, 2004)

Mr. KLINE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 486) recognizing and honoring military unit family support volunteers for their dedicated service to the United States, the Armed Forces, and members of the Armed Forces and their families.

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GENERAL LEAVE

Mr. KLINE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Con. Res. 486.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Minnesota?

There was no objection.

Mr. KLINE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 486. This resolution recognizes and honors the men and women behind the unparalleled support structure that serves the families of our service members.

The men and women of the United States Armed Forces face a great challenge each day. We ask our active duty service members and citizen soldiers to provide safety and security at times when these words seem little more than lofty ideals.

We also ask a great deal of the families of these young men and women. For each of the 1.4 million active duty service members and the 875,000 citizen soldiers who have served our Nation since September 11, 2001, someone has been left behind to balance the demands of providing emotional and moral support to their loved ones in the field while maintaining their own spirits and carrying on with their everyday lives. These friends and family members make it possible for our armed service members to carry out their work. But who supports them in their important mission?

Fortunately, military family support volunteers take it upon themselves to do just that. These brave volunteers help shoulder the burden of our military families. They provide a source of strength for the families who stay behind while their loved ones serve far away.

Family support volunteers offer this assistance freely, without asking for pay or recognition. Often the spouses of long-serving members of our Armed Forces, these individuals are motivated by the desire to share their wisdom with families who are new to these trials. Because they have also experienced the anxiety that comes with deployment, they understand better than anyone the struggles that come in times of war.

As a young officer, my family and I benefited from these volunteers. As a senior officer, when I was commanding thousands of Marines and sailors far off in Somalia, I was reassured and they were reassured to know that our families back home were being supported by such volunteers. Now, as a Member of Congress, it is my great honor to join my colleagues in providing the recognition the military unit family support volunteers deserve.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the passage of H. Con. Res. 486.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. KLINE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, only to thank the gentlewoman from California for introducing the resolution. This important resolution is long overdue in order that we recognize the wonderful members of the military family support volunteers.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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