Text of the Resolution (PDF)  

Washington, DC - United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) released statements following the Senate passage by unanimous consent of their bipartisan resolution designating April 18, 2019 as "Military Retiree Appreciation Day" to commemorate the lifelong service of military retirees. The week of April 7-13, 2019 is designated as National Volunteer Week and many military retirees continue their lifelong service as dedicated volunteers in their local communities. April 18, 2019 offers Americans an opportunity to pay tribute to the continued, dedicated service from many of our country's approximately two million retired servicemembers.

"I commend my Senate colleagues for voting to commemorate our military retirees for lifetimes of service to their country and communities," said Senator Warren. "As the proud sister of three veterans, I was glad to have the opportunity to pass this resolution in the Senate and join my colleagues in honoring the service of millions of retired servicemembers."

"Our retired servicemen and women risked their lives to secure America's national security and our status as the world's indispensable nation," Senator Cruz said. "Their commitment and service to our country continues after their time in uniform, as neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends in our communities. Tomorrow, on Military Retiree Appreciation Day, I encourage every American to pause, reflect, and honor the service of our retired Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coastguardsmen."

"It's comforting to witness this national recognition of our military retirees.  This is a special cohort of our nation's citizenry that have underwritten our freedom by their duty... honor...and selfless-service and continue to give and serve in their local communities.  Recognizing their service and sacrifice is a true heartfelt message that simply says 'thank you,'" said Lt. Gen. Dana Atkins, USAF (Ret), President and CEO, Military Officers Association of America.

"The Armed Forces Retirees Association thanks Senators Warren and Cruz for their willingness to come together to provide military retirees with their own national day of recognition. Military retirees continue serving long after their military retirement and are leaders in their communities, governments, schools, churches and charitable organizations. This is a well-deserved honor of all military retirees," said Ted Painter, Executive Director, Armed Forces Retirees Association.

Senators Warren and Cruz introduced the resolution in the 116^th Congress on March 14, 2019.

Co-sponsors include Senators Doug Jones (D-Ala.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), David Perdue (R-Ga.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Cory Booker (D-N.J), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.).

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