HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 171 Offered January 12, 2006 Commending Virginia and national support agencies that assist Virginia’s National Guard and Reserves. ---------- Patron-- Johnson ----------

WHEREAS, more than one million Americans and thousands of Virginians serve in the National Guard and Reserves of the United States Armed Forces; and

WHEREAS, these brave men and women place themselves in harm’s way, leave their families and put their careers on hold to preserve freedom and defend the nation; and

WHEREAS, when reservists and guardsmen are called to active duty, their families may suffer economic problems because their military pay is substantially less than their civilian pay; and

WHEREAS, when the family of a reservist or guardsman faces stress, Virginia and national support agencies use their resources to assist families in overcoming short- and long-term problems; and

WHEREAS, support agencies help the families of members of the Guard and Reserves who are in need by obtaining materials, funding, groceries, home and vehicle repair, and support from volunteers; and

WHEREAS, numerous state and national corporations and their organizations have made significant commitments to support families of mobilized service men and women, especially the Virginia Office of Commonwealth Preparedness; the Virginia National Guard; the Virginia Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve; the Department of Defense’s USA4MilitaryFamilies; the Virginia Department of Education's Virginia Public Schools and Children of the Military; the National 4-H's Operation: Military Kids; the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants' Tax Help for the Military; the Virginia Employment Commission; the Allied Business Schools' Tuition Assistance for the Military; the Virginia and National Bar Association's Legal Assistance for the Military; Corporate Gray Online's Job and Career Help for the Military; Our Military Kids, Inc.; Monster Worldwide, Inc.'s Military.com; OurMilitaryKids.org; the City of Roanoke's Team Virginia Military Family Support Center; and the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organization; and

WHEREAS, dedicated Virginia and national support agencies continue to further develop their ability to assist Guard and Reserve members and their families and are committed to sharing their experience and expertise to assist other agencies to establish similar vital programs; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the aforementioned Virginia and national support agencies that assist Virginia’s National Guard and Reserves and their families; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare copies of this resolution for presentation to the support agencies commended as an expression of the General Assembly’s appreciation for their exceptional and ongoing work.