PRINTER'S NO. 2865
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
375
Session of
2024
INTRODUCED BY D. MILLER, O'NEAL, MARCELL, SCHEUREN, GIRAL,
M. MACKENZIE, McNEILL, JAMES, KINSEY, ROZZI, HILL-EVANS,
CIRESI, SANCHEZ, MIHALEK, HOHENSTEIN, PROBST, PIELLI,
SCHLOSSBERG, STENDER, WEBSTER, COOK, HADDOCK, GALLAGHER,
VENKAT, FLICK, DEASY, GUENST, LABS, R. MACKENZIE, DELLOSO,
NEILSON, MOUL, KHAN AND CERRATO, APRIL 8, 2024
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS, APRIL 8, 2024
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of September 2024 as "Military Suicide
Prevention and Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Current studies confirm a high suicide rate among
United States military veterans; and
WHEREAS, Suicide is a national public health issue among
veterans, nonveteran adults and United States adults; and
WHEREAS, Veterans are 1.5 times more likely to die by suicide
than those who have never served in the military; and
WHEREAS, The risk factor for female veterans is 2.2 times
higher; and
WHEREAS, In Pennsylvania, we lose nearly 250 veterans per
year by suicide; and
WHEREAS, The reason for the elevated suicide rate among
veterans may be attributed to use of lethal means to complete
suicide and contributing factors of high exposure to trauma,
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stress, burnout, addiction, isolation, unemployment,
homelessness, loneliness and difficulties reintegrating into
civilian life; and
WHEREAS, Officials at the Department of Military and Veterans
Affairs have responded to the veteran suicide crisis by leading
the Pennsylvania Governor's and Mayor's Challenges to Prevent
Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families, and
coordinate concerted efforts to expand their community outreach
efforts; and
WHEREAS, Major General Schindler, the Adjutant General of
Pennsylvania, originated the Department of Military and Veterans
Affairs motto to be "Together We Serve," signifying the military
family serves together and military service impacts everyone
associated with its service; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
month of September 2024 as "Military Suicide Prevention and
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives fully support the
bipartisan actions of the 118th Congress and the United States
Department of Veterans Affairs as they continue to work together
to improve the needed support for our veterans and their
families.
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