WHEREAS, National Military Appreciation Month began with a simple idea—to gather America around its military family to honor, remember, recognize, and appreciate those who serve and have served all while knowing its history; and

WHEREAS, Throughout our country’s history, generations of service members have answered the call to leave their families, their jobs, and put their futures and even their lives on the line to valiantly defend our nation and its inalienable rights; and

WHEREAS, For many service members, that sacrifice has ended in permanent injury or death, yet their spirit remains in the continued preservation of our freedoms and the promise of liberty; and

WHEREAS, The first federal legislation for National Military Appreciation Month (S. Res. 33) began in 1999 with the support and sponsorship of Senator John McCain of Arizona and Representative Duncan Hunter of San Diego, California, along with over 50 veteran service organizations; and

WHEREAS, The purpose of this important resolution is to let our service members know that those they protect dedicate an entire month to honor, remember, and appreciate their patriotism and their families’ dedication; and

WHEREAS, This special recognition provides an opportunity to acknowledge both the history of the Armed Forces of the United States and the diversity of its individuals and achievements. It allows Americans to educate each generation on the historical impact of our military, through the participation of the community with those who serve, encouraging patriotism and love for America; and

WHEREAS, This very important month honors, remembers, recognizes, and appreciates all military personnel, the service members who have served throughout our history, all who now serve in uniform, and their families, and those Americans who have given their lives in defense of the freedoms we all enjoy today; and

WHEREAS, National Military Appreciation Month recognizes those on active duty in all branches of the service, the National Guard and Reserves, retirees, veterans, and all of their families — well over 90 million Americans. Let us celebrate them just as we celebrate the other important entities that make up this wonderful country of ours; and

WHEREAS, California boasts more than 30 major defense installations, incorporating all military services, more than double any other state, and California’s diverse network of training ranges are a national treasure that cannot be replicated or replaced; and

WHEREAS, Each California military base, accounting for over 128,373 active-duty personnel stationed in the state, has unique, important military value, and is making critical contributions to national security for today and the future; and

WHEREAS, Over 18,751 Californians serve in the Air and Army National Guard and 37,416 Californians serve in United States Army Reserve, United States Marine Corps Reserve, United States Air Force Reserve, United States Navy Reserve, and United States Coast Guard Reserve; and

WHEREAS, California offers the best combination of technology, industry, and academia in support of military needs and critical contributions for national security, for today and the future, including the Naval Postgraduate School and seven of the top 25 research universities in California; and

WHEREAS, America’s best-trained and most-experienced aerospace and technology workforce lives and works in California and is committed to staying and supporting military requirements; and

WHEREAS, California possesses a unique combination of irreplaceable assets of weather, climate, terrain, and available space on land, sea, and in the air, and hosts the people, buildings, and equipment to use those assets full time. California’s unique value lies in the interconnectedness and close proximity of its large unencroached military desert lands and nearby mountainous terrain, the largest restricted airspace in the continental United States, and extensive deepwater operating areas off its coast; and

WHEREAS, Our military continues to play a major role in the development of our country, as chronicled through a history of unbending honor, dedication to duty, and genuine love of country; and

WHEREAS, The role of the United States as a world leader requires a military force that is well trained, well equipped, and appropriately sized; and

WHEREAS, This month is necessary to remind us of the sacrifices of the service members who have answered the call to serve and the history we, as Americans, have been privileged to participate in throughout more than 245 years; and

WHEREAS, Our military represents the highest caliber of professionalism, patriotism, and technology, and service members willingly risk their lives on a moment’s notice; and

WHEREAS, Through appropriate means, federal, state, and local governments, and private sector entities are invited to participate in this special month and to encourage everyone to sponsor and participate in programs via multiple venues, giving the nation a time and place upon which to focus, draw attention, and express our appreciation and thanks to our military family; and

WHEREAS, National Military Appreciation Month, May 2021, includes Loyalty Day on May 1, V-E Day on May 8, Military Spouse Appreciation Day on May 7, Armed Forces Day on May 15, and Memorial Day on May 31; and

WHEREAS, The observance of events recognizing the contributions of the Armed Forces is a tangible and highly effective way of sustaining morale and improving the quality of life for service members and their families; now, therefore, be it