119-hres737

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 737 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
H. RES. 737

 Supporting the designation of September 22 as ``National Veterans 
 Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day'' and recognizing the Suicide 
 Awareness and Remembrance Flag.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 September 18, 2025

Mr. Garbarino (for himself, Mr. Ryan, Ms. Malliotakis, Mr. Lawler, Ms. 
Tenney, and Mr. Morelle) submitted the following resolution; which was 
 referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the 
 Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently 
 determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

 RESOLUTION

 Supporting the designation of September 22 as ``National Veterans 
 Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day'' and recognizing the Suicide 
 Awareness and Remembrance Flag.

Whereas military and veterans continue to be at great risk to die by suicide 
 amongst the United States population;
Whereas military and veterans are nearly two times as likely to die by suicide 
 compared to their civilian counterparts, and over 20 veterans and 
 military die by suicide each day in the United States;
Whereas the United States has lost over 100,000 veterans to suicide since 2001, 
 and post 9/11 veterans continue to be at the greatest risk to die by 
 suicide among the veteran population;
Whereas suicide prevention services are vastly underutilized by our military and 
 veterans due to the stigma of mental health, suicide, and seeking 
 treatment;
Whereas the Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Flag (known as the ``S-A-R 
 Flag''), was created by United States Air Force Veteran Kevin W. 
 Hertell, who lost his cousin to suicide in 2016, Senior Airman Robert 
 McRae Dean, United States Air Force;
Whereas Congress would establish the SAR Flag as an official symbol of our 
 Nation's concern and commitment to recognize and resolve military and 
 veteran suicide, break the stigma of mental health, suicide, and seeking 
 treatment within the warrior culture of military and veterans to 
 facilitate suicide prevention, and to honor the service and forever 
 remember the lives of those veterans and military who died by suicide, 
 as well as to honor, respect, and unite their families;
Whereas the SAR Flag also stands as a tangible symbol of hope to living veterans 
 and military to show that we stand with them as they serve our country 
 and transition back to civilian life and remind them that stigma-free 
 treatment is available to facilitate suicide prevention;
Whereas we seek to elevate this issue in the public consciousness and raise our 
 continued awareness, which promotes open dialogue and understanding 
 about mental health issues among veterans and military members, breaks 
 down the stigmas surrounding seeking help, and ensures that our veterans 
 and military have access to the necessary resources and support without 
 judgment;
Whereas it is our duty to raise awareness about the struggles faced by military 
 members and veterans, combat the stigma surrounding mental health, and 
 foster an environment that encourages seeking help;
Whereas designating a specific day for national awareness can bring attention to 
 the importance of providing adequate mental health support and resources 
 to military personnel and veterans;
Whereas September is recognized as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, providing 
 an opportune time to focus on the unique challenges faced by those who 
 have served the Nation; and
Whereas we recognize September 22 as National Veterans Suicide Awareness and 
 Remembrance Day: Now, therefore, be it
 Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

    (1) officially recognizes the Suicide Awareness and 
 Remembrance Flag and designates the flag as the Nation's symbol 
 to raise our continued awareness of military and veteran 
 suicide, as well as our commitment to recognize and resolve 
 military and veteran suicide;

    (2) forever remembers the lives and honors the service of 
 those military and veterans who have died by suicide;

    (3) commits to the raising of awareness of veteran and 
 military suicide via the SAR flag;

    (4) commits to posting the SAR Flag above all Federal 
 buildings wherever there is an American Flag and POW/MIA Flag, 
 365 days of the calendar year; and

    (5) supports the designation of a ``National Veterans 
 Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day''.
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