GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2015

RATIFIED BILL

 

 

RESOLUTION 2015-9

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 421

 

 

A JOINT RESOLUTION expressing gratitude and appreciation to the men and women of the united states armed forces.

 

Whereas, the month of May is National Military Appreciation Month and honors, remembers, recognizes, and appreciates all military personnel; those men and women who have served throughout our history, and all who now serve in uniform and their families, as well as those Americans who have given their lives in defense of our freedoms we all enjoy today; and

Whereas, North Carolina is the home of six major Department of Defense (DOD)/Department of Homeland Security (DHS) installations: Coast Guard Station, Elizabeth City; Fort Bragg; Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point; Marine Corps Air Station New River; Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune; and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, as well as the North Carolina National Guard and other DOD/DHS activities and organizations; and

Whereas, nearly 800,000 veterans live in North Carolina and, according to North Carolina Military Business Center's most recent data, North Carolina has the third‑highest active duty military presence in the United States, with over 106,400 active duty personnel and close to 12,000 members of the North Carolina National Guard; and

Whereas, more than 540,000 individuals are either directly employed by the military or work in jobs providing goods or services that support the military's presence in North Carolina; and

Whereas, according to recent estimates, the impact of the military on State personal income was $30 billion and the impact on gross State product was $48 billion, which supported about 10% of the economic activity in North Carolina; and

Whereas, in 2014, businesses with defense‑related contracts operated in 79 of North Carolina's 100 counties and contributed $2.49 billion in prime defense procurement contracts to the State; and

Whereas, the observance of events recognizing the contributions of the military is a tangible and highly effective way of sustaining morale and improving quality of life for service members and their families; and

Whereas, North Carolina prides itself as being the nation's "Most Military‑Friendly State"; and

Whereas, veterans, service members, their families, and their communities have shouldered a heavy burden exemplified by repeated combat deployments for their nation; and

Whereas, the support of the families of service members enhances the effectiveness and capabilities of the military; and

Whereas, North Carolina is committed to supporting and promoting the military within the State; and

Whereas, the continued long‑term military presence in North Carolina is directly dependent on DOD/DHS's ability to operate not only its installations but also its training and other readiness functions critical to national defense; and

Whereas, it is therefore of paramount importance to the future of North Carolina to maintain the best possible relationship with all branches of the United States military and to promote practices that maintain North Carolina's preeminent position as the best location for military bases and training installations; and

Whereas, to those ends, it is critical for all North Carolinians, all North Carolina businesses, all sectors of North Carolina's economy, and especially all branches and agencies of North Carolina's State and local governments to be knowledgeable about not only the military's presence and contributions to our State but also of the military's special and unique requirements that are critical to carrying out its national defense mission; and

Whereas, North Carolina also seeks to promote the economic development, growth, and expansion of other industries within the State, such as the agriculture/agribusiness industry, the renewable energy industry, the tourism/outdoor recreation industry, and the fisheries industry; and

Whereas, North Carolina has a vested economic interest in the preservation and enhancement of land uses that are compatible with military activities; Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

 

SECTION 1.  The General Assembly expresses its profound gratitude and appreciation to all the men and women of the United States military for their selfless service and pays tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

SECTION 2.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 28th day of May, 2015.

 

 

                                                                    s/  Daniel J. Forest

                                                                         President of the Senate

 

 

                                                                    s/  Tim Moore

                                                                         Speaker of the House of Representatives