[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 6]
[House]
[Page 8508]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        THE VETERAN WELLNESS ACT

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, right before the Memorial 
Day holiday, Congressman Tim Ryan of Ohio and I introduced H.R. 2555, 
the Veteran Wellness Act, a bipartisan bill that will improve Veteran 
Service Organizations' ability to promote good health among our 
Nation's veterans. This is critical at a time when an average of 22 
veterans take their lives by suicide each and every day.
  Mr. Speaker, veterans across the country turn to these organizations 
to participate in a wide variety of programs to build and cultivate a 
community of support among fellow veterans. These facilities are a 
place of comfort and familiarity for thousands of men and women and 
their families.
  The Veteran Wellness Act will expand upon what these organizations 
are currently doing and create a greater number of opportunities for 
veterans to access wellness programs and therapies.
  Mr. Speaker, it is our responsibility to be there for our Nation's 
heroes as they begin transitioning back to civilian life.
  I ask my colleagues to join me and Congressman Ryan in supporting 
this bipartisan bill. We owe these brave men and women no less.

                          ____________________