III 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 335 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 12, 2023 Mr. Kaine (for himself and Mr. Sullivan ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary RESOLUTION Designating September 23, 2023, through October 1, 2023, as Blue Star Welcome Week .

Whereas Blue Star Families seeks to empower military families by connecting them with their neighbors, individuals, and organizations to create vibrant communities of mutual support; Whereas Blue Star Families annually designates the week beginning the second to last Saturday in September and concluding 8 days thereafter as Blue Star Welcome Week ; Whereas, during Blue Star Welcome Week, the Senate recognizes the 600,000 active duty and transitioning military families who move to new communities each year during permanent change of station moves, nearly half of which occur during the summer; Whereas only 33 percent of military family respondents to the 2022 Military Family Lifestyle Survey conducted by Blue Star Families reported that they feel a sense of belonging to their local civilian community; and Whereas a sense of belonging is essential to the well-being and readiness of military families: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1) designates September 23, 2023, through October 1, 2023, as Blue Star Welcome Week ; (2) expresses gratitude for the sacrifices made by service members, transitioning veterans, and their families; (3) commits to ensuring that military-connected families feel a strong sense of belonging to their local civilian communities; and (4) encourages civilians across the United States to welcome military-connected families into their communities.