119-hres490

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 490 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
H. RES. 490

 Expressing support for the designation of the second Saturday in June 
 as ``Veterans Get Outside Day''.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 June 9, 2025

 Mr. Amo (for himself and Mr. Moulton) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and 
 Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

 RESOLUTION

 Expressing support for the designation of the second Saturday in June 
 as ``Veterans Get Outside Day''.

Whereas, between 2000 and 2024, the Secretary of Defense found that more than 
 460,000 members of the Armed Forces were diagnosed with traumatic brain 
 injuries;
Whereas studies have found that, after decades of combat in Afghanistan and 
 Iraq, 20 percent of veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress and 
 depression;
Whereas the Department of Veterans Affairs found that veterans suffer a 
 disproportionately higher rate of suicide compared to non-veterans, and 
 post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, depression, and anxiety 
 are root causes of the suicide epidemic in the veteran community, with 
 an estimated 17.6 suicides per day in 2022;
Whereas, despite a strong effort by Congress and Department of Veterans Affairs 
 to reduce the number of veterans' suicides, there are still gaps in 
 mental health care for veterans, and the United States needs to use 
 every treatment available to support the veteran community;
Whereas studies have shown that exposure to nature and the outdoors has a 
 positive therapeutic impact on mental health, including by resulting in 
 lower risks of depression and improved focus and attention, and even a 
 single day outside can improve an individual's overall mood and lessen 
 feelings of isolation;
Whereas studies have found that individuals with increased access to green space 
 have a lower suicide risk;
Whereas the Forest Service sponsors a National Get Outdoors Day on the second 
 Saturday in June to promote the health benefits of outdoor recreational 
 activities;
Whereas the United States has recognized the need to connect veterans with 
 nature by providing free admission to national parks and forests; and
Whereas a targeted outreach effort, such as Veterans Get Outside Day, to 
 veterans living with post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, 
 depression, and anxiety may lead to further participation in outside 
 events and improved mental health outcomes: Now, therefore, be it
 Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

    (1) supports the designation of ``Veterans Get Outside 
 Day''; and

    (2) encourages the Department of Veterans Affairs, the 
 Forest Service, and the Department of the Interior to 
 coordinate and cooperate in promoting Veterans Get Outside Day 
 along with National Get Outdoors Day.
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