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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The brave men and women of our nation's armed forces |
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regularly risk their lives in defense of our freedoms, and as a |
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result, many suffer from the serious effects of post-traumatic |
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stress; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1980, the American Psychiatric Association |
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crafted the term "post-traumatic stress disorder" to diagnose the |
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effects of traumatic stress suffered by combat veterans, first |
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responders, and victims of crime, abuse, or natural disasters; and |
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WHEREAS, Unfortunately, the term PTSD may carry a negative |
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connotation for some, discouraging them from seeking treatment due |
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to the perception that the word "disorder" indicates weakness or |
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mental illness in the individual who suffers from post-traumatic |
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stress; and |
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WHEREAS, Research utilizing electromagnetic imaging has |
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demonstrated that combat and other traumatic stress can cause |
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actual physical changes in the brain, leading to psychological |
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symptoms and changes in behavior; as a result, a movement has arisen |
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that hopes to change the official diagnosis, in certain cases, from |
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PTSD to "post-traumatic stress injury," or PTSI; and |
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WHEREAS, A leader in these advocacy efforts is the veterans |
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organization Honor for All, which is dedicated to eliminating the |
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stigma attached to post-traumatic stress, to preserving the dignity |
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of the injured, and to helping them avert impulsive or dangerous |
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behavior which might lead to suicide; and |
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WHEREAS, Under the motto "Visible Honor for Invisible |
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Wounds," the organization is engaged in a national effort to |
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introduce the term "injury" into the vernacular when discussing |
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post-traumatic stress that arises as a result of changes in the |
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brain; this simple change can help encourage individuals to seek |
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timely treatment without fear of retribution or shame; and |
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WHEREAS, The nation's military veterans who have suffered the |
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hidden wounds of post-traumatic stress injury while serving our |
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nation are truly entitled to every possible resource to ensure |
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their lasting physical, mental, and emotional well-being; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That June 27, 2017, be recognized as Post-Traumatic |
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Stress Injury Awareness Day and that the month of June be recognized |
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as Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Month in the State of |
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Texas. |
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Gutierrez |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 2647 was adopted by the House on May |
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28, 2017, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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