WHEREAS, April is celebrated around the world as Month of the Military Child with a special focus on April 15 as Purple Up! For Military Kids Day; and

WHEREAS, the Month of the Military Child was established in 1986 by former United States Secretary of Defense Casper Weinberger to recognize the sacrifices made by military families and the important role military children play in the armed forces community; and

WHEREAS, military children are special — just as their parents' service requires tremendous sacrifice, so does theirs. This includes frequent moves to watching their parents deployed numerous times to combat zones around the world, and all the while not knowing if their parents will return home safely; and

WHEREAS, military children represent the best of today's youth. The strength and resilience they demonstrate through a multitude of hardships deserves to be recognized and applauded; and

WHEREAS, there is a tradition in the military of wearing the color purple, or the “purple suit”, referring to a military activity involving all branches of the military. All the service colors are represented including Air Force blue, Army green, Navy blue, Marine red, and Coast Guard blue, which are said to combine for the mutual benefit of all into the color purple; and

WHEREAS, on April 15, the act of wearing purple supports and celebrates the unique contributions of military children.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE 2ND SESSION OF THE 59TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN:

THAT the Oklahoma State Senate designates April 15 as Purple Up! For Military Kids Day in Oklahoma.

THAT the Oklahoma State Senate thanks military families and their children for their service and sacrifice to our great nation and state.