H.C.R. No. 148
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The veterans of the armed forces of the United
States experience post-traumatic stress disorder and commit
suicide at rates far higher than the general population; and
WHEREAS, The men and women who bear arms in our defense
regularly face traumatic situations that are not necessarily unique
to military life but are certainly more prevalent, ranging from
violent and life-threatening experiences to sexual harassment and
assault; and
WHEREAS, Between 7 and 8 percent of the general population
experience PTSD at some point in their lives, but veterans are
afflicted at rates that range from 12 percent for those who took
part in the Gulf War to between 11 and 20 percent for veterans of
Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom; approximately 15
percent of Vietnam veterans are currently diagnosed with PTSD, and
nearly a third of them have experienced the condition over the
course of their lifetimes; and
WHEREAS, The aftermath of trauma can manifest itself as
depression, outbursts of anger, and substance abuse, but the most
tragic consequence is suicide; from 2008 to 2016, more than 6,000
veterans each year took their own lives; moreover, in 2016, the
suicide rate for veterans was 26.1 per 100,000 as opposed to 17.4
for non-veteran adults, when adjusted for age and gender; and
WHEREAS, Suicide and other consequences of PTSD affect not
only the veterans themselves, but also their families, friends, and
communities; in an effort to address this urgent problem, the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, the
Department of Homeland Security, the National Action Alliance for
Suicide Prevention, and many veterans and private sector
organizations are working to expand treatment and prevention
services; these initiatives can be furthered by increasing public
awareness of the issue and by engaging the active support of a broad
spectrum of concerned citizens; and
WHEREAS, Americans owe those men and women who sacrificed so
much on our behalf an eternal debt of gratitude, and it is essential
that our veterans receive the assistance they need to enhance their
well-being and their ability to live long and fulfilling lives;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 86th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby designate June as Veteran Suicide and PTSD Awareness Month;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of Section
391.004(d), Government Code, this designation remain in effect
until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is finally
passed by the legislature.
Landgraf
Flynn
Miller
Tinderholt
Blanco
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 148 was adopted by the House on May
3, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 141, Nays 1, 2 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 148 was adopted by the Senate on May
22, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor