IV 
112TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 445 
Supporting the goals and ideals of National Underserved Veterans Awareness 
Week. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
OCTOBER 24, 2011 
Mr. DENHAM (for himself, Mr. CARNAHAN, and Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio) sub-
mitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
Veterans’ Affairs 
RESOLUTION 
Supporting the goals and ideals of National Underserved 
Veterans Awareness Week. 
Whereas the Nation’s veterans have established a history of 
sacrifice, service, and dedication to protect and defend 
the United States beginning with the American Revolu-
tion and continuing through today’s conflicts in Afghani-
stan, Iraq, and other parts of the world; 
Whereas many veterans face life-long physical, psychological, 
and financial challenges consequent to their service to the 
United States long after the conclusion of their active 
service; 
Whereas the Nation has an obligation and a commitment to 
provide and care for veterans in return for their service 
and dedication, but still, many veterans continue to be 
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•HRES 445 IH 
underserved and constitute a significant portion of the 
Nation’s homeless population; 
Whereas the most recent figures released by the Department 
of Veterans Affairs estimated that in 2009, approxi-
mately 76,000 veterans were homeless on any one par-
ticular day and 136,000 veterans were homeless at some 
point during the year; 
Whereas national studies have found that veterans are over-
represented in the homeless population, comprising 41 
percent of the homeless male population and 3.1 to 4.4 
percent of the homeless female population, compared to 
approximately 34 percent and 1.3 percent, respectively, in 
the general population; 
Whereas veterans have been found to have a higher propen-
sity for becoming homeless, as male veterans are 1.4 
times as likely to become homeless than nonveterans, and 
female veterans are two to four times as likely to become 
homeless than their civilian counterparts; 
Whereas medical research has found that troops returning 
from Iraq and Afghanistan who are at risk of becoming 
homeless, have an increased likelihood of developing men-
tal health problems, and 15 to 17 percent have already 
screened positive for depression, generalized anxiety, and 
post-traumatic stress disorder, as reported in a study 
conducted by the New England Journal of Medicine; 
Whereas there is concern for returning veterans who may not 
be aware of available Department of Veterans Affairs 
health programs and services, that could potentially be a 
critical component of reintegration into the community; 
Whereas in 2009, the Department of Veterans Affairs an-
nounced a plan to end homelessness among veterans 
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•HRES 445 IH 
within five years by focusing on outreach and education, 
treatment, prevention, housing and supportive services, 
employment services, and community partnerships; 
Whereas the ideals and goals of a nationally recognized un-
derserved veterans week coincide with those of the above- 
mentioned plan to alleviate veterans’ homelessness; and 
Whereas Veterans Day was originally established as Armi-
stice Day in memorial of the Allied victory in World War 
I on November 11, 1918, and therefore the week of No-
vember 6 through November 12, 2011, is the most appro-
priate date to designate as ‘‘National Underserved Vet-
erans Awareness Week’’: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) supports the goals and ideals of ‘‘National 
Underserved Veterans Week’’; 
(2) honors and recognizes the contributions 
that all veterans have made to protect and defend 
the Nation and preserve and promote the ideals of 
freedom and liberty; and 
(3) encourages the people of the United States 
to observe National Underserved Veterans Aware-
ness Week with appropriate ceremonies, activities, 
and volunteer services that bring awareness and care 
to underserved, homeless veterans and promote edu-
cation on the available resources offered by the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs for current and return-
ing veterans. 
Æ 
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