[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 445 Introduced in House (IH)]

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) 
submitted 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 Revolution and continuing through today's conflicts in 
        Afghanistan, 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 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, approximately 76,000 veterans were homeless on 
        any one particular day and 136,000 veterans were homeless at some point 
        during the year;
Whereas national studies have found that veterans are overrepresented 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 propensity 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 mental 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 announced a plan to end 
        homelessness among veterans 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 underserved veterans 
        week coincide with those of the above-mentioned plan to alleviate 
        veterans' homelessness; and
Whereas Veterans Day was originally established as Armistice Day in memorial of 
        the Allied victory in World War I on November 11, 1918, and therefore 
        the week of November 6 through November 12, 2011, is the most 
        appropriate date to designate as ``National Underserved Veterans 
        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 Awareness Week with appropriate 
        ceremonies, activities, and volunteer services that bring 
        awareness and care to underserved, homeless veterans and 
        promote education on the available resources offered by the 
        Department of Veterans Affairs for current and returning 
        veterans.
                                 <all>