[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 82 (Thursday, May 27, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4553-S4554]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
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SENATE RESOLUTION 541--DESIGNATING JUNE 27, 2010, AS ``NATIONAL POST-
TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER AWARENESS DAY''
Mr. CONRAD submitted the following resolution; which was referred to
the Committee on the Judiciary:
S. Res. 541
Whereas the brave men and women of the United States Armed
Forces, who proudly serve the United States, risk their lives
to protect the freedom of the United States and deserve the
investment of every possible resource to ensure their lasting
physical, mental, and emotional well-being;
Whereas 12 percent of Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans, 11
percent of Operation Enduring Freedom veterans, 10 percent of
Operation Desert Storm veterans, 30 percent of Vietnam
veterans, and at least 8 percent of the general population of
the United States suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
(referred to in this preamble as ``PTSD'');
Whereas the incidence of PTSD in members of the military is
rising as the United States Armed Forces conducts 2 wars,
exposing hundreds of thousands of soldiers to traumatic life-
threatening events;
Whereas women, who are more than twice as likely to
experience PTSD than men, are increasingly engaged in direct
combat on the front lines, putting these women at even
greater risk of PTSD;
Whereas--
(1) from 2003 to 2007, approximately 40,000 Department of
Defense patients were diagnosed with PTSD; and
(2) from 2000 to 2009--
(A) more than 5,000 individuals were hospitalized with a
primary diagnosis of PTSD; and
(B) more than 500,000 individuals were treated for PTSD
in outpatient visits;
Whereas PTSD significantly increases the risk of
depression, suicide, and drug and alcohol related disorders
and deaths;
Whereas the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs
have made significant advances in the prevention, diagnosis,
and treatment of PTSD and the symptoms of PTSD, but many
challenges remain; and
[[Page S4554]]
Whereas the establishment of a National Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder Awareness Day will raise public awareness
about issues related to PTSD: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates June 27, 2010, as ``National Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder Awareness Day'';
(2) urges the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the
Secretary of Defense to continue working to educate
servicemembers, veterans, the families of servicemembers and
veterans, and the public about the causes, symptoms, and
treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder; and
(3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate
transmit a copy of this resolution to the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense.
Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, today I am submitting a Senate resolution
to designate June 27, 2010, as National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Awareness Day. That date was inspired by the birthday of North Dakota
National Guard Staff Sergeant Joe Biel. Staff Sergeant Biel served two
tours of duty in Iraq as a Trailblazer, part of a unit responsible for
route clearance operations. Each day, Joe's mission was to go out with
his unit every day to find and remove Improvised Explosive Devices and
other dangers from heavily traveled roads to make it safe for coalition
forces and Iraqi civilians to travel. As a result of those experiences,
Joe suffered from PTSD and, tragically, took his own life in April
2007. There is absolutely no doubt that Joe Biel is a hero who gave his
life for our country.
I learned of Joe's story because friends from his platoon, the 4th
Platoon, A Company, of the North Dakota National Guard's 164th Combat
Engineer Battalion, have organized an annual motorcycle ride across the
state of North Dakota in his memory. The Joe Biel Memorial Ride serves
as a reunion for the 164th, a memorial for a lost friend, and a beacon
to those suffering from PTSD and other mental issues across the region.
The key point made to me by the event's organizer, Staff Sergeant Matt
Leaf, is that we have to raise awareness of this disease so that the
lives of servicemembers, veterans, and other PTSD sufferers can be by
greater awareness of and treatment for this disorder.
For many, the war does not end when the warrior comes home. All too
many servicemembers and veterans face PTSD symptoms like anxiety,
anger, and depression as they try to adjust to life after war. We
cannot sweep these problems under the rug. PTSD is real. The Department
of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs have made significant
advances in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of PTSD and its
symptoms, but many challenges yet remain. More must be done to inform
and educate veterans, families and communities on the facts about this
illness and the resources and treatments available. That is why SSG
Leaf and his fellow Trailblazers started the Joe Biel Memorial Bike
Ride. And that is why I am introducing this Resolution. These efforts
are about letting our troops--past and present--know it's okay to come
forward and say they need help. It's a sign of strength, not weakness,
to seek assistance. It is my hope that this message will be heard. In
the words of SSG Leaf, ``maybe if we all take a minute to listen, we
can stop one more tragedy from ever happening again.''
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a letter about Joe Biel
be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
Joe Biel Memorial Bike Ride
On April 26th 2007 we lost one of the best soldiers the
United States Military and the North Dakota Army National
Guard had ever had the privilege of enlisting. Staff Sergeant
Joseph Arthur Biel took his own life in Devils Lake North
Dakota surrounded by his peers superiors and some of his best
friends. He shot himself in the mouth while these people
looked on and his last words were ``tell everybody I love
them'' the shot was heard as far away as Fargo North Dakota.
Specialist David Young was on the phone with SSG Matthew Leaf
while standing directly in front of SSG Biel as he pulled the
trigger. This was the most horrific and worst day of our
lives. Tears did not stop for 3 days as Joe's platoon (4th
platoon A Company 164 Combat Engineers) deployed upon the
small town of Devils Lake North Dakota. Everybody was asking
one question ``Why?''
Why we failed Joe Biel? Why we did not understand PTSD? Why
so many of us have problems when we return from overseas? Why
nobody wants to listen? Why nobody understands? Why we are
afraid to talk about it? Why we think nobody cares? Why can't
I get help? Why will nobody listen to me? These are the
questions that race through our minds after this tragedy. We
deserve and have earned the right to be understood. The
answer is too simple. PTSD is real and it needs to be
addressed now. With the help of fellow veterans, spouses,
loved ones, the V.A. and our Government. Please take the time
to listen too and understand this disorder and at the very
least be made aware of how this is affecting our Veterans and
our lives, not just those who have served but all of the fine
citizens of the United States. Maybe if we all take a minute
to listen we can stop one more tragedy from ever happening
again.
Sincerely SSG Matthew James Leaf, North Dakota Army
National Guard.
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