IV 
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 vet-
erans 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; 
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Whereas, despite a strong effort by Congress and Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs to reduce the number of vet-
erans’ 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 Out-
doors 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 con-
nect 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 Af-
fairs, the Forest Service, and the Department of the 
Interior to coordinate and cooperate in promoting 
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Veterans Get Outside Day along with National Get 
Outdoors Day. 
Æ 
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