[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 74 (Thursday, May 14, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H5587]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1015
              TAKE CARE OF OUR SOLDIERS AND THEIR FAMILIES

  (Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, last Monday a tragic 
event occurred in Iraq when five servicemembers were killed at the Camp 
Liberty Combat Stress Control Center. It points out the importance that 
we need to pay attention to with posttraumatic stress disorder, acute 
stress disorder, and a wide range of other mental illnesses which can 
occur after prolonged combat or exposure to severe stress.
  We need to understand and communicate with our soldiers and their 
officers that these problems are real and they are treatable and you 
can get a soldier back in emotional shape. It is not a sign of 
weakness. It is not a sign of failure on the part of the soldier or the 
officer, but they need to get help.
  Over the centuries in our military, the uniforms have changed, the 
weapons have changed, the ships have all changed, but the soldier 
remains the same, brave and strong and true. But Congress must, 
nonetheless, provide substantial funding to take care of our soldiers 
and their families and keep them in mental health shape and physical 
shape and to get them back on their feet strong and ready.
  Congress and our Nation must continue to support them. There is hope, 
there is treatment, and we need to continue and support our soldiers in 
that endeavor.

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