President George W. Bush called on Congress Monday to reward the contributions service members and their families make every day through better services and laws that let them share unused education benefits and give military spouses hiring preference for federal jobs.

Addressing both houses of Congress during his final State of the Union address, the president also urged passage of Dole-Shalala Commission recommendations to ensure wounded warriors receive the services they deserve.

The president acknowledged the great sacrifices military families make as their loved ones serve and announced new proposals to show appreciation.

‘‘Our military families also sacrifice for America. They endure sleepless nights and the daily struggle of providing for children while a loved one is serving far from home,” Bush said. ‘‘We have a responsibility to provide for them. So I ask you to join me in expanding their access to child care, creating new hiring preferences for military spouses across the federal government, and allowing our troops to transfer their unused education benefits to their spouses or children.”

Bush urged Congress to approve legislation allowing service members to transfer unused Montgomery G.I. Bill benefits to their dependents. The G.I. Bill provides up to 36 months of education benefits to eligible veterans for college, technical or vocational courses and other job training. Currently, the Army is the only service allowing service members to transfer those benefits to their children.