National Military Spouse Appreciation Day

May 6, 2009 - PRLog -- Washington, DC – Military Spouse Appreciation Day, as declared by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, will be observed this Friday, the eighth of May.

Currently in Congress is the only piece of comprehensive military family legislation, the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act (S 475 and HR 1182), which will legally recognize military spouses by providing them the option of a home state.

The proposed legislation amends the Servicemember’s Civil Relief Act (SCRA) of 1940 allowing military spouses to share a home state with their spouse, the service member. The goal is to eliminate the complications encountered by military spouses, who unlike the service member must change their residency with every move. Currently, Military spouses experience impediments in voting and property ownership as well as deterrents in employment and education.

The bill offers fair treatment of the military spouse and improves the quality of life for military families. Thousands of military spouses have registered with the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act Coalition http://www.facebook.com/pages/Military-Spouses-Residency-...  and are making phone calls to their elected officials as part of a declared “surge” in support of the Act.

On Friday, May 8th Military Spouse Appreciation Day, their uniformed spouses and friend/family networks are being activated to make the calls for support of the bill on their behalf.

In 2008, Army Spouse, Rebecca Poynter and Navy Spouse, Joanna Williamson, together approached Congressman John Carter (R-TX) who represents Fort Hood, Texas; with their concerns and a proposed solution. Carter immediately agreed to help and stated, “It is the Federal government’s job to look after military families.” In 2009, Carter introduced H.R. 1182 and Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) offered a companion bill, S. 475 on the Senate side.

“The absolute best way for America to recognize the military spouse it to support the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act,” says Williamson.

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Supporters of the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act (HR 1182, S 475), the only comprehensive military family legislation currently in Congress. The bill would allow the military spouse to claim the same home state of residency as the service member.