[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 109 (Thursday, July 7, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1064]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOHN KATKO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 7, 2016

  Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, July 6th, 2016, I was not in 
attendance in the House during the first series of votes due to family 
obligations outside of the District of Columbia. I wish to state my 
position on a piece of legislation that received consideration on the 
House floor yesterday.
  The House voted on the ``Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis'' 
Act. This legislation was introduced by my friend, Rep. Tim Murphy, and 
I have strongly supported this bill since its introduction. The bill 
will make much needed reforms to the way our nation administers its 
mental health programs, and will authorize a number of grant programs 
to improve mental healthcare in our country. Tens of millions of 
Americans suffer from some kind of mental illness, and far too many of 
them suffer in silence. I believe we must take urgent action to 
increase our nation's capacity to treat mental illness, to defeat the 
stigma that is all too often attached to mental health treatment, and 
to get help to those who need it. This bill will be a crucial part of 
this effort, and were I present for its consideration on the floor, I 
would have enthusiastically supported it.