IV 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 445 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

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.