Expresses the sense of Congress that if such Commission is established, the President should also establish the Spirit of America Alliance to assist the Commission: (1) in the planning, organization, and conduct of an annual White House Conference on National Military Appreciation and other similar events; (2) in the promotion of the observance of such Month and other military commemorative events through appropriate means, subject to any guidelines developed by the Commission; (3) in the establishment of necessary incentives for Federal, State, and local governments and private sector entities to sponsor and participate in programs initiated by the Commission or the Alliance; (4) in the evaluation of the effectiveness of efforts by the Commission and the Alliance in carrying out this Act; and (5) by the performance of any other related duties that are assigned by the Commission.
[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1785 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
107th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1785
To urge the President to establish the White House Commission on
National Military Appreciation Month, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
December 7, 2001
Mr. Cleland (for himself, Mr. DeWine, Mr. Biden, Mr. Bingaman, Mrs.
Carnahan, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Levin, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Miller, Ms.
Mikulski, Mr. Hagel, and Mr. Reid) introduced the following bill; which
was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To urge the President to establish the White House Commission on
National Military Appreciation Month, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``White House Commission on National
Military Appreciation Month Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The vigilance of the United States Armed Forces, past
and present, has been instrumental to the preservation of the
freedom, security, and prosperity that the United States
enjoys.
(2) The vigilance and capabilities of the United States
Armed Forces depend on the dedicated service of its members,
their families, and the civilian employees of the Department of
Defense and United States Coast Guard.
(3) The role of the United States as a world leader, and
the global scope that such role imparts to our Nation's
interests, requires a military force that is well-trained,
well-equipped, and appropriately sized.
(4) For such a force to be fielded, the young men and women
of the United States must possess a commitment to military
service that is sufficient to achieve the levels of recruitment
and retention of enlisted, officer, and civilian personnel
necessary for sustaining the strength, vitality, and character
of the United States Armed Forces.
(5) To foster and sustain such a commitment, it is vital
for youth in the United States to understand that the service
provided by members of the United States Armed Forces is an
honorable legacy that has protected the freedoms that are
enjoyed by United States citizens and citizens of many other
nations.
(6) The Federal Government has a responsibility to raise
awareness of and respect for this aspect of our national
heritage and to encourage citizens to dedicate themselves to
the values and principles for which Americans have served and
sacrificed throughout our history.
(7) Service in the United States Armed Forces entails
special sacrifices and hazards.
(8) The special duties required of those who serve in the
United States Armed Forces demand special sacrifices from the
families of service members, and the support of the families is
an essential force multiplier that enhances the effectiveness
and capabilities of the United States Armed Forces.
(9) The Nation's observance of events recognizing the
contributions of the Armed Forces is a tangible and highly
effective way of sustaining morale and improving quality of
life for the military family.
(10) Senate Resolution 33 (106th Congress, 1st session), a
resolution entitled ``Senate Resolution Designating May 1999 as
`National Military Appreciation Month''', agreed to on April
30, 1999, called on the people of the United States, in a
symbolic act of unity, to observe a National Military
Appreciation Month in May 1999, to honor the service men and
women of the United States past and present, including those
who have died in the pursuit of freedom and peace.
(11) It is important for the relevance of the history and
activities of the United States Armed Forces to be emphasized
to current and future citizens of the United States through an
annual National Military Appreciation Month that includes
associated local and national observances and activities.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF WHITE HOUSE COMMISSION ON NATIONAL MILITARY
APPRECIATION MONTH.
It is the sense of Congress that the President should establish a
commission known as the ``White House Commission on National Military
Appreciation Month'' to make recommendations to the President on the
proclamation of ``National Military Appreciation Month'' to be
celebrated in the month of May each year.
SEC. 4. COMMISSION DUTIES.
(a) Recommendations.--The White House Commission on National
Military Appreciation Month, if established pursuant to this Act, shall
submit to the President its recommendations on actions that should be
taken to--
(1) foster public service and civic virtue on the part of
the people of the United States by--
(A) inspiring respect and understanding for the
spirit of America;
(B) recognizing the many sacrifices made by members
of the United States Armed Forces and the members of
their families;
(C) recognizing the importance of maintaining a
strong, well-equipped, educated, and trained military
force for the United States to safeguard peace and
freedom;
(D) encouraging the citizens of the United States
to take pride in the United States Armed Forces for the
protection and service that the Armed Forces provide;
(E) recognizing and honoring the dedication and
commitment of members of the United States Armed
Forces, and expressing appreciation for all
contributions made by the members of the Armed Forces
throughout the history of the United States; and
(F) promoting education of America's youth that
focuses on the history and world role of the United
States Armed Forces;
(2) inspire national, State, local, and tribal
participation in the commemoration of the United States Armed
Forces throughout the year in celebrations of National Military
Appreciation Month and patriotic and military commemorative
days, such as Flag Day, D-day, Veterans Day, and Pearl Harbor
Day, by--
(A) encouraging the participation of diverse
entities including--
(i) national humanitarian and patriotic
organizations;
(ii) elementary, secondary, and higher
education institutions;
(iii) veterans' societies and civic,
patriotic, educational, sporting, artistic,
cultural, and historical organizations;
(iv) Federal departments and agencies; and
(v) museums, including cultural and
historical museums; and
(B) recommending appropriate activities to observe
National Military Appreciation Month and patriotic and
military commemorative days including--
(i) the production, publication, and
distribution of books, pamphlets, films, and
other educational materials;
(ii) bibliographical and documentary
projects and publications;
(iii) conferences, convocations, lectures,
seminars, and other similar programs;
(iv) the development of exhibits for
libraries, museums, and other appropriate
institutions;
(v) ceremonies and celebrations
commemorating specific events that relate to
the establishment of the Armed Forces of the
United States and the history of the Armed
Forces participation in wars and other
hostilities;
(vi) competitions, commissions, and awards
regarding historical, scholarly, artistic,
literary, musical, and other works, programs,
and projects related to such commemorations;
(vii) recommendations to appropriate
agencies or advisory bodies regarding the
issuance by the United States of commemorative
coins, medals, and stamps relating to National
Military Appreciation Month and other military
commemorative events; and
(viii) recommendations for any legislation
or administrative action that the Commission
determines to be appropriate regarding the
commemoration of National Military Appreciation
Month and other military commemorative events;
and
(3) provide national coordination for the observance of
National Military Appreciation Month.
(b) Annual Report.--
(1) Requirement for report.--For each fiscal year in which
the Commission carries out activities pursuant to this Act, the
Commission shall submit to the President and Congress a report
describing the activities.
(2) Content.--The report under paragraph (1) shall
include--
(A) an accounting of funds received and expended by
the Commission in the fiscal year, including a detailed
description of the sources and amounts of any donations
of funds accepted by the Commission under any authority
granted to the Commission by the President; and
(B) a description of cooperative agreements and
contracts entered into by the Commission under any
authority granted to the Commission by the President.
SEC. 5. COMMISSION MEMBERSHIP.
It is the sense of Congress that any White House Commission on
National Military Appreciation Month should be composed of the
following members:
(1) Five members appointed by the President, including at
least 1 representative of tribal organizations (as defined in
section 4(l) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education
Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b(l))).
(2) The Secretary of Defense.
(3) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
(4) The Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.
(5) The Director of the Office of Personnel Management.
(6) The Administrator of General Services.
(7) The Secretary of Transportation.
(8) The Secretary of Education.
(9) The Secretary of the Interior.
(10) The Secretary of State.
(11) The Executive Director of the President's Commission
on White House Fellows.
(12) The Secretary of the Army.
(13) The Secretary of the Navy.
(14) The Secretary of the Air Force.
(15) The Commandant of the Marine Corps.
(16) The Commandant of the Coast Guard.
(17) The Chief of Staff of the Army.
(18) The Chief of Naval Operations.
(19) The Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
(20) Any other persons appointed by the President upon the
recommendation of the Commission.
SEC. 6. SPIRIT OF AMERICA ALLIANCE.
(a) Establishment.--It is the sense of Congress that, if the
President establishes the White House Commission on National Military
Appreciation Month, the President should also establish an alliance to
be known as the ``Spirit of America Alliance'' that is composed of
individuals, appointed by the Commission, who are representatives or
members of--
(1) the print, broadcast, or other media industry;
(2) the national sports community;
(3) the recreation industry;
(4) the entertainment industry;
(5) the retail industry;
(6) the food industry;
(7) the health care industry;
(8) the transportation industry;
(9) the education community;
(10) national veterans organizations;
(11) families that have lost loved ones in combat or to
terrorist acts;
(12) the nonprofit community; and
(13) honorary, nonvoting members appointed by the
Commission.
(b) Duties.--The Alliance shall assist the Commission--
(1) in the planning, organization, and conduct of an annual
White House Conference on National Military Appreciation Month
and other similar events;
(2) in the promotion of the observance of National Military
Appreciation Month and other military commemorative events
through appropriate means, subject to any guidelines developed
by the Commission;
(3) in the establishment of necessary incentives for
Federal, State, and local governments and private sector
entities to sponsor and participate in programs initiated by
the Commission or the Alliance;
(4) in the evaluation of the effectiveness of efforts by
the Commission and the Alliance in carrying out this Act; and
(5) by the performance of any other related duties that are
assigned by the Commission.
<all>
Introduced in Senate
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S12683-12684)
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
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