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[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1251 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1251

   Honoring Rosalynn Smith Carter's legacy in mental health advocacy.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 22, 2024

  Mr. Carter of Georgia (for himself and Mrs. Dingell) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and 
                                Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
   Honoring Rosalynn Smith Carter's legacy in mental health advocacy.

Whereas May 2024 is Mental Health Awareness Month;
Whereas Rosalynn Smith Carter, since 1970, when her husband, future President of 
        the United States Jimmy Carter, was a candidate for Governor of Georgia, 
        was a leading advocate for raising awareness about mental health and 
        substance use disorder;
Whereas Mrs. Carter emerged as a national driving force for mental health when, 
        during Jimmy Carter's Presidential administration, Mrs. Carter became 
        the active honorary chair of the President's Commission on Mental 
        Health;
Whereas the work of President Carter's Commission on Mental Health resulted in 
        passage of the Mental Health Systems Act of 1980, which offered reforms 
        to publicly funded mental health programs;
Whereas, in 1982, President and Mrs. Carter founded The Carter Center, which is 
        dedicated to improving the quality of life for people in the United 
        States and in the developing world through programs waging peace, 
        fighting disease, and building hope;
Whereas, from 1985 to 2016, Mrs. Carter hosted the annual Rosalynn Carter 
        Symposium on Mental Health Policy, bringing together national leaders in 
        the mental health community to discuss a specific topic each year, 
        including promoting access to appropriate and affordable behavioral 
        health care services, improving the quality of such services, and 
        reducing the stigma and isolation associated with mental health 
        disorders and substance use disorder;
Whereas the Carter Center's Mental Health Program, established in 1990, under 
        the leadership and guidance of Mrs. Carter, continues to build consensus 
        in order to effect positive change in mental health and substance use 
        policy and systems, with a focus on vulnerable populations, including 
        children, the elderly, and those who care for individuals with mental 
        health disorders or substance use disorder.
Whereas, in 1996, Mrs. Carter established the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for 
        Mental Health Journalism, which have provided training and support to 
        more than 260 journalists in the United States and abroad to report 
        accurately and sensitively about and reduce the stigma surrounding 
        mental health disorders, mental health care, mental health law and 
        policy, and related issues;
Whereas Mrs. Carter, in 2008, played a key role in supporting the passage of the 
        Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction 
        Equity Act of 2008, which helps ensure that mental health disorders and 
        substance use disorders are covered by insurance at parity with other 
        illnesses;
Whereas throughout Mrs. Carter's 50 plus years of advocacy for mental health, 
        she has been an effective champion for rights of persons with mental 
        illness and substance use disorders, the inclusion of persons with lived 
        experience in the crafting of policy, and the elimination of stigma and 
        discrimination against people with mental health disorders, which are 
        among the most common health conditions around the world;
Whereas Mrs. Carter believed that solutions are truly within our reach to 
        overcome stigma, provide mental health advocacy and substance use 
        prevention programming in all communities, and make treatment and 
        support available to all, including the people who care for individuals 
        with mental health and substance use disorders, allowing every 
        individual the chance to create a happy and fulfilling future; and
Whereas, after her passing on November 19, 2023, The Carter Center continues to 
        carry forward her legacy to continue to decrease stigma and 
        discrimination against individuals with mental health and substance use 
        disorders, increase mental health advocacy and substance use prevention, 
        and improve access to treatment and supports for all such individuals 
        and those who care for such individuals in the United States and around 
        the world: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) hereby expresses its profound gratitude, on behalf of 
        the people of the United States, to Rosalynn Smith Carter for 
        her lifetime of accomplishments and commitment on behalf of 
        those affected by mental health disorders and substance use 
        disorders;
            (2) recognizes, praises, and appreciates the improvements 
        in well-being and the betterment of society Mrs. Carter's 
        contributions generated;
            (3) recognizes The Carter Center for its leadership and for 
        its continued work to carry forward the legacy of Rosalynn 
        Smith Carter in advocating for mental health for all; and
            (4) encourages all people of the United States to follow 
        Mrs. Carter's example of putting compassion into action through 
        a lifetime of service to humanity.
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