[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 79 (Wednesday, May 10, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S1607]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 206--DESIGNATING JUNE 10, 2023, AS ``VETERANS GET 
                             OUTSIDE DAY''

  Mr. CASSIDY (for himself, Mr. King, and Mr. Cramer) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 206

       Whereas, between 2000 and 2022, the Department of Defense 
     found that more than 460,000 members of the Armed Forces were 
     diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries;
       Whereas studies have found that, after decades of combat in 
     Afghanistan and Iraq, 20 percent of veterans of the Armed 
     Forces are suffering from post-traumatic stress and 
     depression;
       Whereas the Department of Veterans Affairs found that 
     veterans suffer a disproportionately higher rate of suicide 
     compared to nonveterans, and post-traumatic stress, traumatic 
     brain injury, depression, and anxiety are root causes of the 
     suicide epidemic in the veteran community, with an estimated 
     16.8 suicides per day in 2020;
       Whereas the Department of Veterans Affairs has been 
     successful in reducing the number of veterans' suicides, but 
     there are still gaps in mental health care for veterans, and 
     the United States needs to use every treatment available to 
     support the veteran community;
       Whereas studies have shown that exposure to nature and the 
     outdoors have a positive therapeutic impact on mental health, 
     including by resulting in lower risks of depression and 
     improved focus and attention, and even a single day outside 
     can improve an individual's overall mood and lessen feelings 
     of isolation;
       Whereas studies have found that individuals with increased 
     access to green space have a lower suicide risk;
       Whereas the Forest Service sponsors a National Get Outdoors 
     Day to promote the health benefits of outdoor recreational 
     activities;
       Whereas the United States has recognized the need to 
     connect veterans with nature by providing free admission to 
     national parks and forests; and
       Whereas a targeted outreach effort, such as Veterans Get 
     Outside Day, to veterans living with post-traumatic stress, 
     traumatic brain injury, depression, and anxiety may lead to 
     further participation in outside events and improved mental 
     health outcomes: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates June 10, 2023, as ``Veterans Get Outside 
     Day''; and
       (2) encourages the Department of Veterans Affairs, the 
     Forest Service, and the Department of the Interior to 
     coordinate and cooperate in promoting ``Veterans Get Outside 
     Day'' along with National Get Outdoors Day.

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