WHEREAS, The Yellow Ribbon America Campaign was founded in February 2003 as a nonpartisan, grassroots effort to unite all Americans in directly helping our nation’s military members and their families during wartime. The concept is a simple one, locals helping locals, with local businesses, residents, churches, and community groups focusing their resources on helping military members and their families in their communities; and

WHEREAS, Yellow Ribbon America’s unique community outreach program has made great strides on behalf of America’s military members and their families, gaining sponsorship from state legislatures and from both the Republican and Democratic parties. This joint effort with local politics has given Yellow Ribbon America a unique edge in helping to establish a nonpartisan effort that has organized hundreds of communities in assisting their local military; and

WHEREAS, Yellow Ribbon America is a proud National Community Outreach Partner for the federal Defense Department’s “America Supports You” and Military Severely Injured Center’s “Heroes to Hometowns” programs. America Supports You spotlights efforts by American citizens and industries to support the nation’s men and women in uniform. Heroes to Hometowns is designed to welcome home service members who, because of injuries sustained, can no longer serve in the military. In creating a positive transition home, Heroes to Hometowns inspires community growth and establishes a support network for service members and their families that allows them to ease into their hometown or new surroundings. The Yellow Ribbon America Community Outreach Campaign for America’s Military & their Families is a sponsored project of the America’s Heroes Foundation; and

WHEREAS, The week of September 5 through September 11, 2011, is being recognized as Yellow Ribbon Week in California in support of military families and our troops who are defending our country; and

WHEREAS, It is very difficult for military families who have loved ones in the very dangerous conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan who are fighting for freedom for all; and

WHEREAS, Because of the importance of demonstrating support for military families and troops during this very difficult time, the week of September 5 through September 11, 2011, has been designated to publicly show support for these individuals; and

WHEREAS, Ceremonial activities have been planned to bring people together to commemorate Yellow Ribbon Week in support of military families and our troops; and

WHEREAS, Californians are proud of our troops and their families, and appreciate the great sacrifice they are making to assure freedom for all; now, therefore, be it