CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

97

CHAPTER 110

Statutes of 2025

Introduced by Assembly Member Jeff Gonzalez

( Coauthors: Assembly Members Schiavo, Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Arambula, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Calderon, Caloza, Carrillo, Castillo, Connolly, Davies, DeMaio, Dixon, Elhawary, Ellis, Flora, Fong, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Mark González, Hadwick, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Kalra, Krell, Lackey, Lowenthal, Macedo, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Patel, Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Ransom, Rivas, Celeste Rodriguez, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Soria, Stefani, Ta, Valencia, Wallis, Wicks, Wilson, and Zbur)

May 15, 2025

Relative to Military Appreciation Month.

Fiscal committee: no

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

This measure would honor the men and women who have served and are serving in our nation’s military and would recognize the month of May 2025 as Military Appreciation Month.

WHEREAS, National Military Appreciation Month began with a simple idea: gather America around its military family to honor, remember, recognize, and appreciate those who serve and have served all while knowing the history of the Armed Forces of the United States; 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 the people 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, and encourage patriotism and love for America; and

WHEREAS, This very important month honors, remembers, recognizes, and appreciates all military personnel: the men and women who have served throughout American history, the people who now serve in uniform, and their families, as well as the Americans who have given their lives in defense of the freedoms we all enjoy today; and

WHEREAS, National Military Appreciation Month recognizes individuals on active duty in all branches of the Armed Forces, the National Guard, reservists, retirees, and, as of 2023, the 18,267,000 living veterans according to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as their families, which comprises 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, 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 men and women 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 its service members willingly risk their lives on a moment’s notice; and

WHEREAS, Through appropriate means, federal, state, and local governments, as well as 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 2025, includes Loyalty Day on May 1, V-E Day on May 8, Military Spouse Appreciation Day on May 9, Children of Fallen Patriots Day May 13, Armed Forces Day on May 17, and Memorial Day on May 26; 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

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature honors the men and women who have served and are serving in our nation’s military and recognizes the month of May 2025 as Military Appreciation Month; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.