Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 8, 2026, as Military Spouse Appreciation Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Military Spouse Appreciation Day

Assembly Resolution No. 1442

BY: M. of A. Rules (Hunter)

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        May 8, 2026, as Military Spouse Appreciation Day  in
        the  State  of  New  York,  in  conjunction with the
        observance of National Military Spouse  Appreciation
        Day

  WHEREAS, America's military spouses are the backbone of the families
who  support  our  troops during mission, deployment, reintegration, and
reset; and

  WHEREAS, Military spouses are silent heroes who are essential to the
strength of the nation, and they serve our country just like their loved
ones; and

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this  Legislative  Body  to  memorialize
Governor  Kathy  Hochul  to  proclaim  May  8,  2026, as Military Spouse
Appreciation Day in the State of  New  York,  in  conjunction  with  the
observance of National Military Spouse Appreciation Month; and

  WHEREAS,  On  April 17, 1984, President Ronald Reagan recognized the
profound  importance  of  spousal  commitment  to  the   readiness   and
well-being   of   military  members  with  Proclamation  5184;  Congress
officially made  Military  Spouse  Appreciation  Day  part  of  National
Military Appreciation Month in 1999; and

  WHEREAS,  Subsequently,  the  Department of Defense standardized the
date by declaring the Friday before Mother's Day every year as  Military
Spouse Appreciation Day; and

  WHEREAS,   On   Military  Spouse  Appreciation  Day,  we  honor  the
contribution and sacrifices made by military  spouses  whose  commitment
and support help to keep our country safe; military spouses truly have a
great impact on our lives and our military communities; and

  WHEREAS,  Military  spouses  share a bond with each other, and share
valuable information pertaining to military news, benefits, fitness, and
so much more; and

  WHEREAS, In celebration of Military  Spouse  Appreciation  Day,  the
armed  forces  host  special  events  and programs to inform, honor, and
recognize military spouses around the world; events  range  from  spouse
appreciation  luncheons  to educational workshops, and spouse employment
fairs which pay tribute to military spouses; and

  WHEREAS, On May 23, 1984, President Ronald Reagan declared the first
Military Spouse Day with Proclamation 5184; he recognized the importance
of spouses' commitment to  the  readiness  and  well-being  of  military
members; Casper Weinberger, U.S. Department of Defense, standardized the
date  by  declaring the Friday preceding Mothers' Day as Military Spouse
Day; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
memorialize  Governor  Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 8, 2026, as Military
Spouse Appreciation Day 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.