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2004 SESSION

048337784
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 115
Offered January 21, 2004
Recognizing and supporting members of the National Guard and Reserve by conducting awareness programs and by holding Military Appreciation Day and other ceremonies.
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Patrons-- O'Brien and Wampler
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, individual members or units of the Army and Air National Guard, Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Air Force Reserve, and Coast Guard Reserve based in the Commonwealth of Virginia made significant contributions to the security and continuity of the United States of America in the post-terrorist-attack environment of September 11, 2001; and

WHEREAS, citizens of the Commonwealth who are members of the National Guard and Reserves provided outstanding and critically needed support when called to active duty to participate in military operations designed to destroy the leadership of Al Qaeda and the Taliban government of Afghanistan and assist the citizens of Afghanistan in establishing a democracy; and

WHEREAS, their courage and professional competence demonstrate the true value of the traditional citizen-soldier; and

WHEREAS, additional Virginia Guard and Reserve units have been mobilized to support active military forces in eliminating the oppressive Iraqi government, led by a dictator, and assist the citizens of Iraq in developing a democratic government dedicated to freedom; and

WHEREAS, through their outstanding dedication, Guard and Reserve members continue to make significant contributions to the United States of America's stated goal of freedom for all citizens of Iraq; and

WHEREAS, citizen-soldiers of Virginia continue to bring great credit to their local community, the Commonwealth, and the United States of America through their total dedication to Duty, Honor and Country; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly encourage local merchants to develop an "Awareness Program" to promote discounts to military personnel and their families and request further that a public relations effort be made to make the public more aware of what Reserve components do and the sacrifices made by Guard and Reserve members; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the General Assembly urge the Virginia Association of Counties, the Virginia Municipal League, and other employers, through their human resource departments, to assure local government and private employers that the Commonwealth recognizes and takes its responsibilities towards Guard and Reserve personnel seriously and request further that corporations encourage employment of members of the Guard and Reserve; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the General Assembly encourage the Virginia Association of Counties, the Virginia Municipal League, and other employers to recognize employees who are mobilized through an Honor Roll for service and request further that support be given to the Virginia Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) and its mission; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the General Assembly urge the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to encourage and emphasize local attention, recognition, and appreciation of military personnel at local schools on Veteran's Day and Memorial Day of each year and request further that the Superintendent encourage local schools to work through local military units to provide returning military personal the opportunity to brief schools and to add emphasis to school systems' recognition of patriotic events; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the General Assembly encourage state and local government and corporations to conduct Military Appreciation Days on Veteran's Day, Memorial Day, and July 4th of each year in support of the federally mobilized National Guard and Reserve throughout Virginia and request further that local attention, recognition, and appreciation be shown for returning military members and units through local ceremonies; and, be it

RESOLVED FINALLY, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the Virginia Association of Counties, the Virginia Municipal League, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, requesting that they further disseminate copies of this resolution to their respective constituents so that their members may be apprised of the sense of the General Assembly of Virginia in this matter.