Senate Resolution No. 2058

BY: Senator SCARCELLA-SPANTON

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
April 2024, as the Month of the Military Child in
the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those young people within the great Empire State who have
made strong contributions to their communities and who serve as role
models for their peers; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concerns and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2024, as the Month
of the Military Child in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of Purple Up Day on Monday, April 15, 2024; and

WHEREAS, During Month of the Military Child we honor the 1,602,261
military children, youth and teens serving alongside our nation's
service members; and

WHEREAS, While military members serve around the world, we often
forget the challenges faced by their children; military families move on
average every two to three years, impacting military children through
changing schools and support networks; and

WHEREAS, Our military kids bring joy to our hearts, and we work hard
to ensure they have access to the support and resources they need; each
year, the Month of the Military Child Dandelion Festival is held at Fort
Wadsworth on Staten Island; and

WHEREAS, Dandelions are the symbol given to military children
because they are able to grow and bloom just about anywhere their roots
are planted; additionally, they symbolize happiness, joy, perseverance,
endurance and hope; and

WHEREAS, New York State is home to three active duty Army
installations, Fort Drum Army Base, U.S. Military Academy Army Base at
West Point and Fort Hamilton Army Base; housing the 10th Mountain
Division, nearly 20,000 soldiers call Fort Drum home; and

WHEREAS, In addition, there are over 15,000 geographical dispensed
National Guard and Reserve Soldiers and nearly 44,000 military children
living in New York, not on military installations; and

WHEREAS, Military children make up a very special part of our
nation's population; although young, these brave sons and daughters
stand in steadfast support of their military parents through moves and
deployments on behalf of our country; and

WHEREAS, Established in 1986, the Month of the Military Child is
part of the legacy left by former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger,
and underscores the important role military children play in the armed
forces community; and

WHEREAS, Sponsored by the Department of Defense Military Community
and Family Policy, the Month of the Military Child is a time to applaud
military families and their children for the daily sacrifices they make
and the challenges they overcome; and

WHEREAS, The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) joins
the Department of Defense and the military community in celebrating
April as the Month of the Military Child; in DoDEA communities around
the world, the most essential strategic imperatives are: establishing an
educational system that progressively builds the college and career
readiness of all DoDEA students; and establishing the organizational
capacity to operate more effectively and efficiently as a model, unified
school system; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, this vital organization aims to challenge each
student to maximize his or her potential and to excel academically,
socially, emotionally, and physically for life, college and career
readiness; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the month, DoDEA will encourage schools to plan
special events to honor military children; these efforts and special
events will stress the importance of providing children with quality
services and support to help them succeed in the mobile military
lifestyle; and

WHEREAS, Purple is the color which symbolizes all branches of the
military; when combined, Army green, Coast Guard blue, Air Force blue,
Marine red and Navy blue, make purple; consequently, Monday, April 15,
2024, has been designated as Purple Up Day, a day for communities across
the country to wear purple to show support and thank military children
for their strength and sacrifices; and

WHEREAS, Military children exemplify the potential inherent in our
most precious resource, our youth; they have brought enduring honor to
their families and their communities through their many sacrifices and
achievements; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2024, as the Month
of the Military Child in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.