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[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 698 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

<DOC>

118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 698

 Expressing support for the designation of June 9, 2024, as ``Veterans 
                           Get Outside Day''.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 16, 2024

   Mr. Cassidy (for himself, Mr. King, and Mr. Cramer) submitted the 
        following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Expressing support for the designation of June 9, 2024, as ``Veterans 
                           Get Outside Day''.

Whereas, between 2000 and 2023, 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 Secretary 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 17.5 suicides per day in 2021;
Whereas, despite a strong effort by Congress and the Secretary of Veterans 
        Affairs to reduce 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 National Park Service sponsors a National Get Outdoors Month 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 Senate--
            (1) expresses support for the designation of ``Veterans Get 
        Outside Day'' on June 9, 2024; and
            (2) encourages the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Chief 
        of the Forest Service, and the Director of the National Park 
        Service to coordinate and cooperate in promoting ``Veterans Get 
        Outside Day'' with National Get Outdoors Day and Get Outdoors 
        Month of June 2024.
                                 <all>
```