[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 8]
[House]
[Pages 10590-10591]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1210
                     NATIONAL PTSD AWARENESS MONTH

  (Mr. BILIRAKIS asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in recognition of the 
National Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month.
  Head injuries are the signature and oftentimes invisible wounds of 
our recent wars. These injuries are not a sign of weakness or a 
character flaw but, rather, the potential catalyst of more serious 
illnesses, like traumatic brain injury and PTSD. Nearly one-third of 
Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who received VA health care in the decade

[[Page 10591]]

after 2001 were diagnosed with PTSD, and the numbers, unfortunately, 
are only expected to climb.
  We must tear down the stigma surrounding head injuries and ensure 
veterans have timely access to quality care, particularly in situations 
of TBI and PTSD. As we mark PTSD Awareness Month, let's work together 
to address these important issues by drawing attention to the real 
dangers head injuries present and encourage our servicemembers to seek 
treatment.

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