[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 11]
[House]
[Pages 15997-15998]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              BRAIN HEALTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Williams) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. WILLIAMS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the tremendous 
work of the Center for Brain Health at the University of Texas at 
Dallas and its Brain Performance Institute. Not only do their programs 
and research benefit the public, they have a team that specifically 
focuses on serving Active Duty servicemembers, veterans, military 
spouses, and caregivers.
  More than 2.5 million men and women have admirably worn the uniform 
to protect America's freedom since 9/11. Sadly, nearly 20 percent of 
them come back from Iraq and Afghanistan with PTSD or major depression. 
More than 250,000 servicemembers have sustained a traumatic brain 
injury in the last decade.
  This ring that I wear is a sobering reminder that 22 servicemembers 
or veterans commit suicide each and every day. Something has to be done 
to help these heroes battle their inner enemies, and that is where the 
Brain Health team comes in.
  The Brain Health team is dedicated to creating public and private 
partnerships to not only eliminate the stigma often associated with 
PTSD or TBI, but to improve treatment and access to that treatment. 
This team is essentially retraining brains to build their resilience, 
regeneration, and reverse

[[Page 15998]]

losses in mental capacity, giving these men and women the opportunity 
to overcome the trauma of war and pursue a happy and healthy future.
  The Center for Brain Health and Brain Performance has provided 
scientifically proven programs to more than 500 warriors in seven 
States, including my home State of Texas. The institute's service to 
our troops is outstanding. They are the perfect example of America's 
commitment to take care of our warriors and their families, and I am 
proud to recognize their good works.
  In God we trust.

                          ____________________