BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.C.R. 12
88R19579 KSM-D	By: Lopez, Ray et al. (Hall)
	Administration
	5/12/2023
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The wounds sustained through armed service to the United States are both visible and invisible, and it is vital that all veterans and their families have access to appropriate health care treatments and other resources.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense, an average of nearly 20 current or former members of the armed forces die by suicide each day, and veterans account for a disproportionate percentage of all adult suicides in the U.S.

It is of critical importance that military and veteran communities continue to offer support to the surviving family members of veterans who die by suicide and connect them to available resources; these families have valuable lessons to share that can help prevent future suicides in veteran populations, and their voices should be included in prevention effort.

The families of veterans who die by suicide are deserving of recognition for their contributions to the strength, health, and survival of veteran communities, and Texas Veterans Suicide Prevention Day offers a fitting opportunity for all Texans to extend their support to veterans and their families.

RESOLVED

That the 88th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby designate September 22 as Texas Veterans Suicide Prevention Day.

That, in accordance with the provisions of Section 391.004(d) (relating to providing that a designation of a day, week, or month for recognition expires on the 10th anniversary of the date the legislature finally passes the resolution making the designation), Government Code, this designation remain in effect until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is finally passed by the legislature.