IV 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 1225 
Expressing support for the designation of June, 9, 2024 in June as ‘‘Veterans 
Get Outside Day’’. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 14, 2024 
Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana (for himself, Mr. MOULTON, and Mr. AMO) sub-
mitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
Oversight and Accountability 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing support for the designation of June, 9, 2024 
in June 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 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 17.5 suicides per day in 2021; 
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•HRES 1225 IH 
Whereas, despite a strong effort by Congress and the Sec-
retary 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 avail-
able to support the veteran community; 
Whereas studies have shown that exposure to nature and the 
outdoors have 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 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 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) expresses support for the designation of 
‘‘Veterans Get Outside Day’’; and 
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•HRES 1225 IH 
(2) encourages the Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs, the Chief of the Forest Service, and the Direc-
tor of the National Park Service to coordinate and 
cooperate in promoting ‘‘Veterans Get Outside Day’’ 
with National Get Outdoors Day and Get Outdoors 
Month. 
Æ 
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