PRESS RELEASE

WHEREAS:      Our military families help sustain our fighting force, and it is important to emphasize and recognize the critical role of their dependents while their parents serve our nation; 
 
WHEREAS:     The Arkansas Council for Military Children (ACMC) is committed to removing obstacles that may prevent children of military families from receiving the quality education to which they are entitled;
 
WHEREAS:     The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), public school districts, charter schools, independent schools, and District Military Education Coordinators statewide work diligently to provide a high-quality education to all children of military families;
 
WHEREAS:      The Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3) is committed to resolving the educational transition issues that are faced by these children and their families; 
 
WHEREAS:     The average military student faces transition challenges more than twice during high school, and most military children will attend six to nine different school systems throughout their lives from kindergarten to 12th grade;
 
WHEREAS:     The State of Arkansas is committed to easing transitions for children of military families and ensuring that they are afforded the same opportunities for educational success as other children and are not delayed in achieving their educational goals; and
 
WHEREAS:      In 1986, former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger designated the month of April as the Month of the Military Child; and
 
WHEREAS:      In April 2023, ACMC, DESE, MIC3 and other organizations will underscore the important role of military children in our communities.
 
NOW, THEREFORE, I, SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS, Governor of the State of Arkansas, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the laws of the State of Arkansas, do hereby proclaim April 2023 as 

“MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD”
 
AND April 21, 2023, as
 
“PURPLE UP DAY”

 
And urge the citizens of the state to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Arkansas to be affixed this 20th day of April, in the year of our Lord 2023.