[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 27 (Monday, February 10, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H1002]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             SUICIDE AMONG VETERANS IS PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS

  (Ms. TLAIB asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. TLAIB. Madam Speaker, this is Damon Clayton, the son of my dear 
friend, Dearborn Heights City Councilwoman Lisa Hicks-Clayton. Today, I 
rise in honor of his precious life.
  Thirteenth District Strong lost Damon to suicide last week at the 
young age of 28.
  One friend wrote: ``This man was a friend and a brother to me. We may 
not have shared DNA, but we shared a common desire to protect.'' He was 
a U.S. Army paratrooper in Afghanistan and a firefighter/EMT for the 
city of Ecorse. ``When we lost Damon, we lost a very special blessing 
from God. This special soul spent his life protecting us.''
  He said: ``I finish my EMT school in 3 weeks. I would like to finish 
in honor of him. Damon was a factor in my choice to pursue public 
safety. I want him to always be remembered.''
  For me, Damon was dearly loved by so many people, including his 
parents and his siblings.
  Death by suicide among veterans represents a public health crisis in 
our country. In 2005, over 5,700 veterans died by suicide, a number 
that rose to over 6,100 in 2017.
  In Damon's memory, I promise to do everything in my power to get our 
veterans the healthcare and help that they deserve.

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