[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 7]
[House]
[Pages 9670-9673]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING ESTABLISHMENT OF A BEBE MOORE CAMPBELL 
            NATIONAL MINORITY MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

  Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 134) expressing the sense of the 
Congress that there should be established a Bebe Moore Campbell 
National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month to enhance public 
awareness of mental illness, especially within minority communities, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 134

       Whereas mental illness is one of the leading causes of 
     disabilities in the United States, affecting one out of every 
     four families in America and victimizing both those with the 
     illness and those who care for and love those afflicted;
       Whereas according to the National Alliance for Mentally Ill 
     (NAMI), the direct and indirect costs to the workplace 
     resulting from mental illness total over $34,000,000 
     annually;
       Whereas the National Institute of Mental Health has 
     reported that many people suffer from more than one mental 
     disorder at a given time and 45 percent of those with any 
     mental disorder meet criteria for two or more disorders, with 
     severity strongly related to comorbidity (including diabetes, 
     cardiovascular disease, HIV/AIDS, and cancer);
       Whereas according to the 1999 Surgeon General's Report on 
     Mental Illness, more than 54,000,000 Americans have a mental 
     disorder in any given year, although fewer than 8,000,000 
     seek treatment;
       Whereas according to the same Surgeon General's Report on 
     Mental Illness, adult Caucasians who suffer from depression 
     or an anxiety disorder are more likely to receive treatment 
     than adult African Americans with the same disorders even 
     though the disorders occur in both groups at about the same 
     rate, when taking into account socioeconomic factors;
       Whereas according to a report from the Office of Minority 
     and National Affairs for the American Psychiatric 
     Association, although mental illness impacts all people, 
     African Americans experience a much greater unmet need for 
     mental health services and receive a lesser quality of care, 
     thereby resulting in mental health disparities;
       Whereas the three major brain diseases--schizophrenia, 
     bipolar disorder, and depression--adversely affect the 
     economy, contribute to the rise in incarceration rates, and 
     erode the quality of family life of those involved;
       Whereas nearly two-thirds of all people with a diagnosable 
     mental illness do not seek mental health treatment due to 
     stigma, lack of community-based resources, inadequate 
     diagnosis, or no diagnosis;
       Whereas communities of color are in need of culturally 
     competent mental health resources and the training of all 
     health care providers to serve multi-ethnic consumers;
       Whereas advocacy for traditional mental health 
     organizations must be encouraged to incorporate and integrate 
     minority mental health education and outreach within their 
     respective portfolios;
       Whereas other research studies estimate that 50 to 70 
     percent of all youth in the juvenile justice system have 
     mental health problems that are usually undiagnosed, 
     misdiagnosed, untreated, or badly treated, thus leaving those 
     incarcerated in vulnerable conditions;
       Whereas minority mental health consumers often fall into 
     the category of the ``working poor'', facing additional 
     challenges because they are underinsured or uninsured, which 
     often leads to late diagnosis or no diagnosis of mental 
     illness;
       Whereas the faith, customs, values, and traditions of a 
     variety of ethnic groups should be taken into consideration 
     when attempting to treat and diagnose mental illnesses;
       Whereas a small percentage of African Americans receive 
     mental health treatment, and a significant percentage refuse 
     treatment or view mental health treatment as the ``treatment 
     of last resort'', due to the stigma associated with mental 
     illness;
       Whereas according to the 1999 Surgeon General's Report on 
     Mental Illness, African Americans are misdiagnosed at a 
     higher rate within the mental health delivery system, and 
     greater effort must be made to accurately assess the mental 
     health of African Americans;
       Whereas there is a need to improve public awareness of 
     mental illness and to strengthen local and national awareness 
     of brain diseases in order to assist with advocacy for 
     persons of color with mental illness, so that they may 
     receive adequate and appropriate treatment that will result 
     in their becoming fully functioning members of society;
       Whereas community mobilization of resources is needed to 
     educate, advocate for, and train mental health providers to 
     help remove barriers to treatment of mental disorders;
       Whereas access to mental health treatment and services is 
     of paramount importance;
       Whereas there is a need to encourage primary care 
     physicians to offer screening, partner with mental health 
     providers, and seek the appropriate referral to specialists 
     and to encourage timely and accurate diagnosis;
       Whereas the late Bebe Moore Campbell (mother, grandmother, 
     wife, friend, advocate, celebrated writer and journalist, 
     noted author, radio commentator, community activist, co-
     founder of National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Urban Los 
     Angeles, University of Pittsburgh Trustee and educator, and 
     recipient of numerous awards and honors) was recognized for 
     her tireless advocacy and fight to bring awareness and 
     attention to mental illness among minorities with the release 
     of her New York Times best selling novel, ``72 Hour Hold'', 
     and her children's book ``Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry'', 
     which both bring awareness to the plight of those with brain 
     disorders;
       Whereas Bebe Moore Campbell through her dedication and 
     commitment sought to move communities to support mental 
     wellness through effective treatment options, open access to 
     mental health treatment and services, and improve community 
     outreach and support for the many loved ones who are unable 
     to speak for themselves; and
       Whereas July would be an appropriate month to recognize as 
     Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness 
     Month: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) improved access to mental health treatment and services 
     and public awareness of mental illness are of paramount 
     importance;
       (2) there is an important need for improved access to care, 
     treatment, and services for those diagnosed with severe and 
     persistent mental health disorders and improved public 
     awareness of mental illness; and
       (3) an appropriate month should be recognized as Bebe Moore 
     Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month to 
     enhance public awareness of mental illness and mental illness 
     among minorities.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Wynn) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) will 
each control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Maryland.


                             General Leave

  Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Maryland?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution will designate July as Bebe Moore 
Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month.
  Mental illness is one of the leading causes of disabilities in the 
United States affecting one out of every four Americans, and 
victimizing both those with the illness as well as those who care for 
and love those afflicted. However, according to a report from the 
Office of Minority and National Affairs for the American Psychiatric 
Association, although mental illness impacts all people, African 
Americans experience a much greater unmet need for mental health 
services and receive a lesser quality of care, thereby resulting in 
mental health disparities. Further, according to a Surgeon General's 
report on mental illness, African Americans who do seek help are 
misdiagnosed at a higher rate within the mental health delivery system.
  Communities of color are in need of culturally competent mental 
health providers and expanding training for all health care providers 
to serve multiethnic consumers in order to accurately assess and treat 
African Americans and other minority patients.
  According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one out of 
every three African Americans are more likely to stop treatment early, 
and are less likely to receive followup due to a lack of insurance 
coverage. Without adequate health insurance, mental health cannot be 
properly treated. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of African 
Americans receive mental health treatment, and a significant percentage 
refuse treatment or view mental

[[Page 9671]]

health treatment as a treatment of last resort due to a stigma 
associated with mental illness.
  To address these problems, obviously we need more resources and 
access to health insurance. But critically we also need to improve 
public awareness and encourage minority citizens to confront the 
illness instead of denying it or being ashamed of its existence in 
their families and communities.
  This bill will, number one, raise awareness about mental illness and 
mental health disparities among minorities nationwide. Second, it will 
encourage training for health care providers to ensure proper diagnosis 
of African American patients and minority communities. And, third, it 
will improve public health by encouraging the expansion of vital mental 
health care into underserved communities in every State.
  Let me take a moment and tell you about Bebe Moore Campbell. Bebe 
Moore Campbell was a renowned African American author who died on 
November 27, 2006, at the age of 56. She was also my college classmate 
at the University of Pittsburgh. Through her dedication and commitment, 
Ms. Campbell sought to remove the stigma of mental illness in the 
African American community. Her novel, ``72 Hour Hold,'' and her 
children's book, ``Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry,'' both bring to light 
the plight of those with brain disorders. Her goal was to move 
communities to support mental wellness through effective treatment, 
increased resources, access to mental health services, and improved 
community outreach and support.
  July would be an appropriate month to be designated as Bebe Moore 
Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, since our 
first book, ``72 Hour Hold,'' which addressed minority mental health 
was released to the public in July of 2005.
  I want to thank my lead cosponsor, Congresswoman Diane Watson, as 
well as all the cosponsors of this bill for their support, and I urge 
all of my colleagues to support this very important legislation.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Let me begin by thanking my good friend and colleague, Mr. Wynn, for 
authoring this very important resolution. I rise today in strong 
support of it, recognizing May as the Bebe Moore Campbell National 
Minority Health Awareness Month. Bebe Moore Campbell will be remembered 
as a celebrated writer and journalist whose New York Times best selling 
novel, ``72 Hour Hold,'' challenged minority communities to be open 
with their mental health and lower the stigma associated with receiving 
therapy. Her ability to assess the mental health delivery system from a 
minority vantage point has helped raise awareness and remove barriers.
  Mental illness, Mr. Speaker, can be crippling, not only to the 
individuals suffering from this disease, but obviously also the family 
and friends of that person. In some cases, therapy is declined or 
refused because mental health care is seen as the treatment of last 
resort. But we must improve public awareness and erase the stigma that 
is so often associated with mental illness.
  Again, I would like to thank my friend and colleague, the author of 
the resolution, Mr. Wynn of Maryland, for raising public awareness of 
mental illness in minority communities and the importance of getting 
proper mental health treatment to those and for those who have been 
diagnosed. I encourage all of my colleagues to vote in favor of the 
resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, it is a great pleasure to me that this bill is 
met with such bipartisan support. I particularly want to thank my 
colleague, Mr. Smith, for his support. He is recognized throughout this 
institution as a champion for the wellness of our citizens, human 
rights, and for supporting causes which make our country better. I want 
to thank him again for his support and thank all the cosponsors.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H. Con. 
Res. 134, to establish July as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority 
Mental Health Awareness Month. The plight of families suffering from 
mental illness is immense due to an absence of adequate social services 
and the unwarranted stigma surrounding mental health issues. Due to the 
unwarranted social stigma and a systemic failure to ensure health care 
coverage, over two-thirds of the people who suffer from mental illness 
go untreated according to the Department of Health and Human Services. 
Within minority communities, even greater needs exist for mental health 
services. African Americans have less access to mental health services, 
and often receive an inferior quality of care. Higher rates of 
uninsured individuals also compound this problem within minority 
communities.
  According to the National Institute on Mental Health, 20 percent of 
children and 26.2 percent of adults suffer from a diagnosable mental 
disorder in a given year. As the leading cause of disability in the 
U.S., many people suffer from more than one mental disorder at a given 
time. The need for mental health awareness is immense, particularly in 
the minority community.
  Sadly, Bebe Moore Campbell's untimely death from brain cancer means 
that she is not here to see the passage of this resolution. However, it 
is comforting to know that her legacy lives on not only through her 
literature but also through this important resolution. I strongly 
believe that this resolution and the establishment of July as Bebe 
Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month will 
address and raise awareness in minority communities of the existence of 
mental illness and the need for mental health services.
  I am honored to remember Bebe Moore Campbell, a premier journalist, 
who authored a children's book entitled, Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry, 
winner of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill's Outstanding 
Literature Award. Through this story of how a little girl copes with 
being reared by a mentally ill mother, Moore Campbell was able to raise 
public awareness on mental health issues and heighten the consciousness 
of this topic within minority communities.
  I proudly join my colleagues in support of this resolution and will 
continue to work tirelessly as an advocate for increased mental health 
services.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to support H. Con. Res.--134, 
the Establishment of a Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental 
Health Awareness Month. As disproportionate numbers of African 
Americans, Latinos, Asians, and others of color continue to be affected 
by a lack of resources for mental illness, we can now take steps to 
bring solutions to the public consciousness with the establishment of 
this awareness month.
  According to the 1999 Surgeon General's Report on Mental Illness, 
more than 54,000,000 Americans have a mental disorder in any given 
year, although fewer than 8,000,000 seek treatment.
  Minority mental health consumers often fall into the category of the 
``working poor'', facing additional challenges because they are 
underinsured or uninsured, which often leads to late diagnosis or no 
diagnosis of mental illness.
  According to the 1999 Surgeon General's Report on Mental Illness, 
African Americans are misdiagnosed at a higher rate within the mental 
health delivery system, and greater effort must be made to accurately 
assess the mental health of African Americans.
  Bebe Moore Campbell through her dedication and commitment sought to 
move communities to support mental wellness through effective treatment 
options, open access to mental health treatment and services, and 
improve community outreach and support for the many loved ones who are 
unable to speak for themselves.
  Here in Congress, we must lead the fight for important issues such as 
mental illness, for all of our citizens regardless of their ethnicity 
or medical hardship. As our health care systems continue to advance in 
the field of mental illness, an awareness month such as the Bebe Moore 
Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month can encourage 
increased knowledge and possible treatment for families who are 
affected by such a debilitating problem.
  I strongly support the designation of the Bebe Moore Campbell 
National Health Awareness Month and I have profound respect for the 
late Bebe Moore Campbell who made great strides in bringing mental 
health awareness to both the African-American and the general American 
public, through her literary works and advocacy. As a celebrated writer 
and journalist, noted author, radio commentator, community activist, 
advocate, and recipient of numerous awards and honors, Bebe

[[Page 9672]]

Moore Campbell was an exceptional individual and it is beyond fitting 
to name this awareness month in her and her work's honor.
  I would like to commend Congressman Wynn and Congresswoman Watson for 
their leadership in bringing this resolution before Congress.
  Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, as the House of Representatives debates H. 
Con. Res. 134, a resolution expressing the sense of the Congress that 
there should be established a Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority 
Mental Health Awareness Month to enhance public awareness of mental 
illness, especially within minority communites, I would like to submit 
the following eight endorsement letters for the Record.
                                                     May 20, 2008.
     Edward S. Hubbard, Jr., Esq.,
     Senior Policy Advisor and Counsel,
     Office of Congressman Albert R. Wynn.
       To Whom It May Concern: We, the members of the ``D.C. 
     Divas,'' also make up the Bebe Moore Campbell National 
     Minority Mental Health Task Force. We are writing to strongly 
     urge you to support H. Con. Res. 134, which establishes the 
     month of July as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental 
     Health Awareness Month.
       As friends and fellow advocates, we witnessed Ms. 
     Campbell's tireless efforts to educate people throughout the 
     country about mental health. Because a member of her family 
     suffers with mental illness, she knew firsthand that the 
     disease is a leading cause of disability in the United 
     States. One out of every four American families is affected 
     by mental illness.
       In her own search for information and services, Ms. 
     Campbell found compassionate support within the community of 
     people, who like her, had loved ones struggling with the 
     disease. She also discovered that minorities suffering from 
     mental illness lack access to culturally and linguistically 
     competent mental health care. Compounding these challenges 
     are the cultural stigma associated with mental health 
     diagnosis and treatment, and a dearth of education and 
     resources for minority families supporting a mentally ill 
     loved. Always one to do whatever she could to solve a 
     problem, Ms. Campbell joined several other people from black 
     communities in Los Angeles to found the National Alliance for 
     the Mentally Ill--Urban Los Angeles.
       Establishing July as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority 
     Mental Health Awareness Month will raise awareness about 
     mental illness and mental health disparities among minorities 
     nationwide. This modest effort will improve public health by 
     encouraging the expansion of vital care in underserved 
     communities in every state.
       Ms. Campbell, a noted author whose works became New York 
     Times bestsellers, died on November 27, 2006 of brain cancer 
     complications. By this time, she had become a national 
     spokeswoman for minority mental health issues, using her 
     celebrity status and creativity to address the issues 
     surrounding mental illness. Her last works before her death 
     included the best selling novel ``72 Hour Hold,'' a book 
     about a mother's struggle to get aid for her mentally ill 
     daughter, and the children's book, ``Sometimes My Mommy Gets 
     Angry,'' about a young girl whose mother is mentally ill.
       The family of the late Ms. Campbell fully endorses this 
     initiative and seeks the help of all Members of Congress in 
     promoting this cause.
       Again, as 13 of Ms. Campbell's friends from Washington, 
     DC--and fellow advocates for mental health services, we know 
     she would be honored to have her name attached to this 
     effort. Mostly, though, she would be thankful for the 
     congressional commitment to expand services in underserved 
     communities.
           Sincerely,
         Martha Jarvis, Beatrix Fields, Yolanda Phillips, Sheila 
           Garnett, Judi Mooore Latta, Melbourne Cummings, Sidonie 
           Davis, Patrice Gaines, LaFleur Paysour, Linda Wharton 
           Boyd, Andrea Carter, Niambi Jarvis, Courtney Lang.
                                  ____
                                  
         National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare,
                                      Rockville, MD, May 21, 2008.
     Hon. Albert Wynn,
     Rayburn House Office Building,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Wynn: On behalf of the National Council on 
     Community Behavioral Healthcare, representing 1,400 Community 
     Mental Health Centers and other community mental health and 
     substance abuse agencies serving over 6 million low-income 
     Americans with mental illnesses and addiction disorders, I 
     urge you to support H. Con. Res. 134, which establishes the 
     month of May as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental 
     Health Awareness Month. Mental illness is one of the leading 
     causes of disability in the United States, affecting one out 
     of every four American families.
       Today, minorities suffering from mental illness lack access 
     to culturally and linguistically competent mental health 
     care. Compounding these challenges is the cultural stigma 
     associated with mental health diagnosis and treatment, and a 
     lack of education materials and resources for minority 
     families supporting persons and loved ones with mentally 
     illness.
       Establishing May as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority 
     Mental Health Awareness Month will raise awareness about 
     mental illness and mental health disparities among minorities 
     nationwide. This modest effort will improve public health by 
     encouraging the expansion of vital care in underserved 
     communities in every State.
       Ms. Campbell, a national spokeswoman for minority mental 
     health issues, made her transition on November 27, 2006. The 
     late Ms. Campbell founded the National Alliance for the 
     Mentally Ill Urban Los Angeles and wrote books including the 
     New York Times best selling novel ``72 Hour Hold,'' and the 
     children's book, ``Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry,'' which 
     outline the devastating effects of mental illness on families 
     and communities.
       The members of the National Council join the family, 
     friends and colleagues of the late Ms. Campbell, as well as 
     members of Congress in fully promoting and endorsing one of 
     the important legislation on minority mental health, the Bebe 
     Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness 
     Month.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Linda Rosenberg,
                                                President and CEO.
                                  ____
                                  
                                                     May 20, 2008.
     Via e-mail: Ed.H[email protected]

       Dear Congressman Albert R. Wynn: The Urban Los Angeles 
     Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) 
     that is devoted to educating, supporting and advocating for 
     individuals and families in communities of color challenged 
     by mental illness diagnoses urges you to support H. Con. Res. 
     134, which establishes the month of May as Bebe Moore 
     Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. 
     Mental illness is one of the leading causes of disability in 
     the United States, affecting one out of every four American 
     families.
       Today, minorities suffering from mental illness lack access 
     to culturally and linguistically competent mental health 
     care. Compounding these challenges is the cultural stigma 
     associated with mental health diagnosis and treatment, and a 
     lack of education materials and resources for minority 
     families supporting persons and loved one with mentally 
     illness.
       Establishing May as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority 
     Mental Health Awareness Month will raise awareness about 
     mental illness and mental health disparities among minorities 
     nationwide. This modest effort will improve public health by 
     encouraging the expansion of vital care in underserved 
     communities in every State.
       Ms. Campbell, a national spokeswoman for minority mental 
     health issues, made her transition on November 27, 2006. The 
     late Ms. Campbell founded the National Alliance for the 
     Mentally Ill Urban Los Angeles and wrote books including the 
     New York Times best selling novel ``72 Hour Hold,'' and the 
     children's book, ``Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry,'' which 
     outline the devastating effects of mental illness on families 
     and communities.
       The members of NAMI Urban Los Angeles join the family, 
     friends and colleagues of the late Ms. Campbell as well as 
     members of Congress in fully promoting and endorsing one of 
     the important legislation on minority mental health, the Bebe 
     Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness 
     Month.
           Sincerely,

                                                 Nancy Carter,

                                               Executive Director,
                                           NAMI Urban Los Angeles.
                                  ____
                                  
                                                     May 20, 2008.
       On behalf of the members of the Bebe Moore Campbell 
     Minority Mental Health Task Force, we are pleased to endorse 
     H. Con Res. 134 to recognize July as ``Bebe Moore Campbell 
     National Minority Mental Health Awareness and Treatment 
     Month.
       We acknowledge the critical importance of specifically 
     addressing the mental health needs of minorities in a 
     culturally competent and linguistically competent manner. We 
     acknowledge and support the need for health equity so that 
     all communities are able to receive equality of care, 
     treatment and services.
       In the spirit of working to reduce the stigma of depression 
     and chronic mental health disorders, the task force 
     recognizes the need for education in minority communities, 
     that mental illnesses are diseases of the brain are treatable 
     and are chronic conditions. We support needed intervention 
     and treatment programs that seek to support the integration 
     of mental health within the broader system of public health 
     care.
       The task force is committed to carrying the vision of Bebe 
     Moore Campbell, a champion for the equality of mental health 
     care in minority communities, whose tireless advocacy worked 
     to establish NAMI--Urban Los Angeles and support a 
     sustainable community health intervention model for 
     communities of color that can be replicated across the 
     country.
       We encourage all Members of congress to vote a yes and 
     offer our individual and collective voice to support H. Con. 
     Res. 134 to

[[Page 9673]]

     eliminate disparate care in the mental health system and our 
     communities at-large.
     Linda Wharton-Boyd,
       Co-Chair, National Minority Mental Health Task Force.
     Courtney Lang,
       Co-Chair, National Minority Mental Health Task Force.
                                  ____
                                  
                                             One Church, One Child


                                            of Maryland, Inc.,

                                                    Baltimore, MD.
     Congressman Albert R. Wynn,
     Rayburn Building,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Albert R. Wynn: The One Church One Child 
     of Maryland, Inc. is devoted to Adoption and Foster Care. We 
     are also devoted to the physical, mental and spiritual health 
     of children and families. As such, we endorse the promotion 
     of strong mental health and endorse H. Con. Res. 134, which 
     establishes the month of July as Bebe Moore Campbell National 
     Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental illness is one 
     of the leading causes of disability in the United States, 
     affecting one out of every four American families.
       Today, minorities suffering from mental illness lack access 
     to culturally and linguistically competent mental health 
     care. Compounding these challenges is the cultural stigma 
     associated with mental health diagnosis and treatment, and a 
     lack of education materials and resources for minority 
     families supporting persons and loved ones with mentally 
     illness.
       Establishing May as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority 
     Mental Health Awareness Month will raise awareness about 
     mental illness and mental health disparities among minorities 
     nationwide. This modest effort will improve public health by 
     encouraging the expansion of vital care in underserved 
     communities in every State.
       Ms. Campbell, a national spokeswoman for minority mental 
     health issues, died on November 27, 2006 of brain cancer 
     complications. The late Ms. Campbell founded the National 
     Alliance for the Mentally Ill Urban Los Angeles and wrote 
     books including the New York Times best selling novel ``72 
     Hour Hold,'' and the children's book, ``Sometimes My Mommy 
     Gets Angry,'' which outline the devastating effects of mental 
     illness on families and communities.
       The members of One Church One Child of Maryland, Inc. join 
     the family, friends and colleagues of the late Ms. Campbell 
     as well as members of Congress in fully promoting and 
     endorsing one of the important legislation on minority mental 
     health, the Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental 
     Health Awareness Month.
           Sincerely,
     Dr. Charles E. Coger, Board President.
     Dr. Joan L. Wharton, Executive Director.
                                  ____
                                  
       Dear Edward S. Hubbard, Jr. Esq. and Congressman Albert 
     Wynn: Thank you so much for moving forward this important and 
     very personal bill. I am President of NAMI Urban LA (National 
     Alliance on Mental Illness) and co founder of this chapter 
     with my dear friend Bebe. Bebe as you know worked tirelessly 
     to help educate and support our mentally ill community. Even 
     when she became ill she was always talking of ways for us to 
     raise money to support our cause. Her death was a huge blow 
     to her family, friends, readers, and the world. When this 
     bill passes it will help ease the pain of her loss. Our 
     chapter continues to press on in her name. The month of July 
     will now be even more special; celebrating the Declaration of 
     Independence on the 4th and celebrating all month Bebe's 
     importance in helping to liberate, support, educate and 
     advocate for so many afflicted with mental illnesses.
       Thank you so much again for this important bill.
                                                  Lynn J. Goodloe,
                                         President, NAMI Urban LA.
                                  ____
                                  
                                         University of Pittsburgh,


                                 Chancellor of the University,

                                     Pittsburgh, PA, May 20, 2008.
     Hon. Albert Wynn,
     c/o Edward S. Hubbard, Jr., Esquire,
     Office of Congressman Albert R. Wynn.
       Dear Congressman Wynn: I understand that you have taken the 
     lead in sponsoring a bipartisan bill that would designate 
     July as ``Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health 
     Awareness and Treatment Month.'' I applaud your efforts and 
     am writing, for myself and on behalf of the University to 
     Pittsburgh, to strongly endorse this important piece of 
     legislation.
       As you know, Bebe Moore Campbell was a distinguished 
     graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. She also served as 
     a member of our Board of Trustees and was the recipient of an 
     honorary doctorate from Pitt, the highest honor that any 
     university can bestow.
       For most of her career, Bebe was best known for her 
     literary achievements. Over the course of many years, her 
     efforts as an author produced a succession of works that were 
     both critically acclaimed and enthusiastically embraced by a 
     large audience of readers.
       In more recent years, she came to understand the special 
     challenges presented by mental illness in this country, and 
     particularly within the minority community, and she opened a 
     new stage of her career as a mental health advocate. An 
     important tool in her advocacy efforts was her literary 
     skill. She applied that skill in a more focused way in the 
     children's book Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry and in the 
     novel 72 Hour Hold. Through these works, she was able to 
     advance important messages with different audiences.
       Beyond her efforts as an author, she became a tireless and 
     unusually effective advocate for the cause of mental health. 
     In this work, she was able to empathetically present the 
     challenges faced both by individuals suffering from mental 
     illness and by the family members and others who care for 
     them.
       Naming the month of July as ``Bebe Moore Campbell National 
     Minority Mental Health Awareness and Treatment Month'' in her 
     honor would he a well-deserved tribute to this tireless and 
     selfless crusader. It also would help advance the cause for 
     which she worked so hard and about which she cared so deeply.
       Again, I applaud your efforts and .strongly endorse this 
     important hill.
           Sincerely,
                                               Mark A. Nordenberg.
                                  ____
                                  


                             American Psychiatric Association,

                                      Arlington, VA, May 20, 2008.
     Hon. Albert Wynn,
     Rayburn House Office Building, House of Representatives, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Representative Wynn: I am writing on behalf of the 
     American Psychiatric Association (APA), the medical specialty 
     representing more than 38,000 psychiatric physicians 
     nationwide, to express our support for H. Con. Res. 134, your 
     resolution designating July as ``Bebe Moore Campbell National 
     Minority Mental Health Month.''
       Your resolution calls attention to the urgent national need 
     for improved access to mental health care for all Americans. 
     This is particularly true in minority communities, where 
     access to the highest quality treatment is too-often limited.
       APA is pleased to support H. Con. Res. 134, and commends 
     you and Representative Diane Watson for your personal efforts 
     on behalf of mental health care, both for minority 
     populations and the U.S. as a whole.
           Sincerely,
                                             James H. Scully, Jr.,
                                         Medical Director and CEO.

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Wynn) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 134, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the 
ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a 
quorum is not present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

                          ____________________