LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim April 2014 as the Month of the Military Child in the State of
New York, in conjunction with the April 15th observance of Purple Up Day

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 concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorial-
ize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 2014 as the Month of the
Military Child in the State of New York, in conjunction with the April
15th observance of Purple Up Day; and
WHEREAS, The Operation: Military Kids (OMK) partnership is a shared
initiative of the United States Army Child, Youth & School (CYS)
Services funded by the Army National Guard and Army Reserve to benefit
children and youth impacted by deployment by connecting them with local
resources in order to achieve a sense of community support and enhance
their well-being; and
WHEREAS, This is achieved by increasing awareness of issues faced
before, during and after deployment through education; and by creating a
network of services and resources available locally for affected mili-
tary children; and
WHEREAS, New York State is home to three Active Duty Army installa-
tions, Fort Drum, West Point, and Fort Hamilton; Fort Drum houses the
10th Mountain Division with five brigades (19,000 Soldiers) and is the
most deployed Army Division in the nation; and
WHEREAS, In addition, there are over 15,000 geographically dispersed
National Guard and Reserve Soldiers and nearly 43,000 military children
living in New York, not on military installations; consequently, the
need to provide these geographically dispersed Military Families with
meaningful, comprehensive and effective family readiness and care has
been identified and is the primary mission of OMK; 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 deploy-
ments; to honor their unique contributions and sacrifices on behalf of
our country, each April is designated the Month of the Military Child in
the United States; and
WHEREAS, During April's Month of the Military Child, the Defense
Department recognizes the support provided by and sacrifices made by
military children; and
WHEREAS, Since 1983, DOD has recognized military children for the
support they provide to their families; there are now 1.8 million chil-
dren in the military system; military children, youth and teens are an
integral part of their military parent because they stand by them, they
are proud of them, they recognize their sacrifices, and they take on
additional responsibilities to meet the needs of their families; and
WHEREAS, In April the United States Armed Forces proudly celebrates
the Month of the Military Child, a month-long celebration thanking mili-
tary children for their service and recognizing them for their strength,
sacrifices, and hardships they face daily; 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, April 15th has
been adopted as "Purple Up Day"; 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 achievements;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 2014 as the Month
of the Military Child in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
April 15th observance of Purple Up Day; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.