[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 85 (Thursday, May 16, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3759-S3760]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 698--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGNATION OF JUNE 
                9, 2024, AS ``VETERANS GET OUTSIDE DAY''

  Mr. CASSIDY (for himself, Mr. King, and Mr. Cramer) submitted the 
following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 698

       Whereas, between 2000 and 2023, the Secretary 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 suffer from 
     post-traumatic stress and depression;
       Whereas the Secretary of Veterans Affairs found that 
     veterans suffer a disproportionately higher rate of suicide 
     compared to non-veterans, and post-traumatic stress, 
     traumatic brain injury, depression, and anxiety are root 
     causes of the suicide epidemic in the veteran community, with 
     an estimated 17.5 suicides per day in 2021;
       Whereas, despite a strong effort by Congress and the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs to reduce veterans suicides, 
     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 has 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 on the second Saturday in June to promote the health 
     benefits of outdoor recreational activities;
       Whereas the National Park Service sponsors a National Get 
     Outdoors Month in June 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) expresses support for the designation of ``Veterans Get 
     Outside Day'' on June 9, 2024; and
       (2) encourages the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Chief 
     of the Forest Service, and the Director of the National Park 
     Service to coordinate and cooperate in promoting ``Veterans 
     Get Outside Day'' with National Get Outdoors Day and Get 
     Outdoors Month of June 2024.

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