A resolution designating June 10, 2023, as "Veterans Get Outside Day".

III 118TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. RES. 206 Designating June 10, 2023, as ‘‘Veterans Get Outside Day’’. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES MAY 10, 2023 Mr. CASSIDY (for himself, Mr. KING, and Mr. CRAMER) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary MAY 31 (legislative day, MAY 30), 2023 Committee discharged; considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating June 10, 2023, as ‘‘Veterans Get Outside Day’’. Whereas, between 2000 and 2022, the Department of De- fense found that more than 460,000 members of the Armed Forces were diagnosed with traumatic brain inju- ries; Whereas studies have found that, after decades of combat in Afghanistan and Iraq, 20 percent of veterans of the Armed Forces are suffering from post-traumatic stress and depression; Whereas the Department of Veterans Affairs found that vet- erans suffer a disproportionately higher rate of suicide compared to nonveterans, and post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, depression, and anxiety are root VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:55 Jun 01, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR206.ATS SR206 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 SRES 206 ATS causes of the suicide epidemic in the veteran community, with an estimated 16.8 suicides per day in 2020; Whereas the Department of Veterans Affairs has been suc- cessful in reducing the number of veterans’ suicides, but there are still gaps in mental health care for veterans, and the United States needs to use every treatment avail- able to support the veteran community; Whereas studies have shown that exposure to nature and the outdoors have a positive therapeutic impact on mental health, including by resulting in lower risks of depression and improved focus and attention, and even a single day outside can improve an individual’s overall mood and lessen feelings of isolation; Whereas studies have found that individuals with increased access to green space have a lower suicide risk; Whereas the Forest Service sponsors a National Get Out- doors Day to promote the health benefits of outdoor rec- reational activities; Whereas the United States has recognized the need to con- nect veterans with nature by providing free admission to national parks and forests; and Whereas a targeted outreach effort, such as Veterans Get Outside Day, to veterans living with post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, depression, and anxiety may lead to further participation in outside events and improved mental health outcomes: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— 1 (1) designates June 10, 2023, as ‘‘Veterans Get 2 Outside Day’’; and 3 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:55 Jun 01, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR206.ATS SR206 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 3 SRES 206 ATS (2) encourages the Department of Veterans Af- 1 fairs, the Forest Service, and the Department of the 2 Interior to coordinate and cooperate in promoting 3 ‘‘Veterans Get Outside Day’’ along with National 4 Get Outdoors Day. 5 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:55 Jun 01, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR206.ATS SR206 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS