Title: Expressing support for the designation of November 21, 2021, as the "National Warrior Call Day" and recognizing the importance of connecting our warriors to support structures necessary to transitioning from the battlefield.
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
This resolution supports the designation of a National Warrior Call Day to encourage Americans to talk with members of the Armed Forces and veterans to connect them with support.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 512 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 512

  Expressing support for the designation of November 21, 2021, as the 
    ``National Warrior Call Day'' and recognizing the importance of 
      connecting our warriors to support structures necessary to 
                  transitioning from the battlefield.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 30, 2021

 Ms. Cheney (for herself, Mrs. Luria, Mr. Grijalva, and Mr. Carter of 
 Texas) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
   Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on 
 Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 
  Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 
           within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing support for the designation of November 21, 2021, as the 
    ``National Warrior Call Day'' and recognizing the importance of 
      connecting our warriors to support structures necessary to 
                  transitioning from the battlefield.

Whereas establishing an annual ``National Warrior Call Day'' will draw attention 
        to those members of the Armed Forces whose connection to one another is 
        key to our veterans and first responders who may be dangerously 
        disconnected from family, friends, and support systems;
Whereas the number of suicides of members of the Armed Forces serving on active 
        duty increased to 377 in 2020, a figure up from 348 the previous year;
Whereas the epidemic of veteran suicide has steadily increased since 2014 with 
        6,435 veterans taking their own lives in 2018;
Whereas, after adjusting for sex and age, the rate of veteran suicide in 2018 
        was 27.5 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the rate among all United 
        States adults at 18.3;
Whereas more veterans have died by suicide in the last 10 years than members of 
        the Armed Forces who died from combat in Vietnam;
Whereas roughly two-thirds of these veterans who take their own lives have had 
        no contact with the Department of Veterans Affairs;
Whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has only increased isolation and disconnection, 
        further exacerbating mental and physical ailments such as post-traumatic 
        stress disorder and traumatic brain injury;
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note that law enforcement 
        officers and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the 
        line of duty, and emergency medical services providers are 1.39 times 
        more likely to die by suicide than members of the general public;
Whereas invisible wounds linked to an underlying and undiagnosed traumatic brain 
        injury can mirror many mental health conditions, a problem that can be 
        addressed through connections to members of the Armed Forces and 
        veterans who can better identify and address these wounds;
Whereas urgent research is needed to highlight the connection between traumatic 
        brain injury as a root cause of invisible wounds and suicide by members 
        of the Armed Forces and veterans; and
Whereas November 21, 2021, would be an appropriate date to designate as the 
        ``National Warrior Call Day'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of a ``National Warrior Call 
        Day'';
            (2) encourages all Americans, especially members of the 
        Armed Forces serving on active duty and veterans, to call up a 
        warrior, have an honest conversation, and connect them with 
        support, understanding that making a warrior call could save a 
        life; and
            (3) implores all Americans to recommit themselves to 
        engaging with members of the Armed Forces through ``National 
        Warrior Call Day'' and constructive efforts that result in 
        solutions and treatment for the invisible scars they carry.
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