Boozman Bill Recognizing Military Families Passes the House

Boozman Bill Recognizing Military Families Passes the House

Bill designates next week as National Military Families Week

A resolution, sponsored by U.S. Representative John Boozman (R-AR), designating next week as National Military Families Week passed the U.S. House of Representatives by voice vote today.

Along with supporting the designation of the week of June 12, 2005 as National Military Families Week, the resolution recognizes the sacrifices being made by, and the strain being placed on, the families of members of the Armed Forces.

Many military families in the Third District of Arkansas have felt the strain of deployment. Among them are family members of the Arkansas Air National Guard 188th Fighter Wing who have loved ones currently serving in Iraq. The Arkansas National Guard 39th Infantry Brigade recently returned from a tour in Iraq and just last week the 142nd Field-Artillery Brigade's Battery B, in Springdale, AR, learned that they will be deployed to Iraq in the near future.

The following are highlights from the comments Rep. Boozman delivered on the House floor today while the bill was being considered:

"Over the last several years I have traveled the world and met with many young men and women serving our country. They have dedicated their lives to defending this nation and the principles on which it was founded. They have dedicated their lives to protecting each of us and our families."

"We have seen an increased awareness of the sacrifices these men and women have been making. Yet, there are many more people we have overlooked. There are husbands and wives who remain here in the United States while their spouses are making an enormous sacrifice. They are here working and caring for children and other family members left behind. These families face unique challenges while their loved ones are deployed. Yet, they remain resilient because of the wonderful support system they have here at home."

"Recently I was in Landstuhl in Germany. A young man that had been wounded on night patrol… …the previous evening and had lost both his legs below his waist. He wanted to tell his story and he pulled out his breathing apparatus… …and the first thing he asked was that he wanted to know how his wife is doing and he wanted to know if there was anyway we can get them paired up."

"As we designate a week to recognize and celebrate these families, I urge our citizens to come together in support of these families. We must get involved in our local communities. Several foundations, like the Armed Forces Foundation, the Wounded Warrior Foundation, and the Love Gift Fund, are busy assisting these families and need our help to carry on."

"And again, I want to encourage our community and country to remember these people, not only in their thoughts and prayers, but by their deeds and actions."

http://www.boozman.house.gov/News/DocumentPrint.aspx?DocumentID=28707