GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2011

H                                                                                                                                                    1

HOUSE RESOLUTION 932

Sponsors:	Representatives Martin and Killian (Primary Sponsors). For a complete list of Sponsors, see Bill Information on the NCGA Web Site.
Referred to:	Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House.

May 26, 2011

A HOUSE RESOLUTION honoring the uso of north carolina for providing exceptional programs and services to our military troops and their families.

Whereas, the United Service Organizations (USO) was established in 1941 to provide civilian support for military personnel during World War II; and

Whereas, the first USO facility opened in Fayetteville, North Carolina, in 1941 and was soon followed by other facilities, including one in Jacksonville; and

Whereas, the Jacksonville facility has operated for 70 years and is the longest continuously operating USO facility in the world; and

Whereas, the USO of North Carolina provides essential services to the many men and women in the military based in our State, which is home to 11% of the U.S. military's active duty forces, seven major military installations, and the fourth largest demographic of active and reserve duty components in the country; and

Whereas, in 2010, the USO of North Carolina served over 320,000 troops in five centers across the State, including two travel-based centers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport and Raleigh-Durham International Airport, two installation-based centers in Fayetteville/Fort Bragg and Jacksonville/Camp Lejeune, and a mobile unit that travels statewide to support troops and their families in remote locations; and

Whereas, in 2010, an average of 8,750 people each month visited the travel-based centers, which are staffed by volunteers and provide comfortable settings, Internet and phone access, refreshments, play areas for children, and other entertainment options for military personnel and their families; and

Whereas, in 2010, the travel-based centers through their "Honors Support Team" performed over 70 plane-side dignified returns and aided nearly 1,100 family members of fallen service members over the course of that year; and

Whereas, the USO of North Carolina will open another travel-based center in the Fayetteville Airport and an information desk in the New Bern Airport in 2011; and

Whereas, the two installation-based centers serve an average of 50,000 troops and their families, providing assistance with Rack Packs, care packages, deployments, and homecomings and serving as recreation centers; and

Whereas, the USO of North Carolina helps family members stay connected with deployed service members with their "Smiles Over Miles" program, which allows family members in North Carolina to make videos at the centers and send them to deployed loved ones, and "United Through Reading," which gives service members the opportunity to read a story on video before they are deployed and then have it delivered to their children while they are away; and

Whereas, the USO of North Carolina sponsors other programs, including surprise birthday cakes for military members, wounded warrior support, seasonal and special programs for the children of deployed service members, holiday meals, and a food pantry for members in need; and

Whereas, the USO of North Carolina is constantly adapting to meet the needs of today's service members and their families, such as providing reading and study skills seminars for parents and children and establishing college campus satellite locations on or near USO facilities to provide resource information and peer-to-peer contacts for veterans attending college in our State; and

Whereas, with multiple deployments, financial challenges, mental health issues, nuclear family disruptions, adjustments to injuries, and transitions to civilian life, it is more important than ever that our military personnel receive the benefits and services provided by the USO of North Carolina; and

Whereas, the USO of North Carolina and its more than 700 volunteers should be commended for the outstanding support the organization provides to our service men and women and their families; Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

SECTION 1.  The House of Representatives wishes to extend its appreciation to the USO of North Carolina for providing programs and services to our military troops and their families.

SECTION 2.  The Principal Clerk shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the USO of North Carolina.

SECTION 3.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.