A resolution designating September 30, 2026, as "National Veterans Suicide Prevention Day".

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 946 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 946

    Designating September 30, 2026, as ``National Veterans Suicide 
                           Prevention Day''.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 30, 2026

  Mr. Tillis (for himself, Mr. King, Mr. Armstrong, Mr. Boozman, Mr. 
 Moran, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Cotton, Mr. Scott of Florida, 
Mr. Sheehy, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Warner, Mr. Hickenlooper, Mr. Blumenthal, 
Ms. Hirono, Mr. Fetterman, Mr. Gallego, Mrs. Murray, Ms. Cortez Masto, 
   Ms. Rosen, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Reed, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Kelly, Mr. 
Heinrich, Mr. Peters, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Padilla, Mr. Wyden, 
Mr. Schiff, Mr. Booker, and Mr. Scott of South Carolina) submitted the 
        following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
    Designating September 30, 2026, as ``National Veterans Suicide 
                           Prevention Day''.

Whereas the wounds sustained through armed service to the United States are both 
        visible and invisible;
Whereas the wounds sustained through armed service to the United States may be 
        invisible, but those wounds are treatable if the bearers of those wounds 
        are connected to the right resources;
Whereas the Department of Veterans Affairs has reported that there are, on 
        average, 17.5 veteran suicides per day;
Whereas veterans account for a disproportionate percentage of all adult suicides 
        in the United States;
Whereas early intervention, connection to care, and community support are 
        critical components of effective suicide prevention;
Whereas comprehensive veteran suicide prevention efforts include promoting 
        evidence-based practices to reduce suicide risk, including promoting 
        safe firearm storage and connecting veterans in crisis with timely care 
        and support;
Whereas preventing veteran suicide requires collaboration among Federal, State, 
        and local governments, veteran service organizations, health care 
        providers, and community partners;
Whereas the surviving family members of veterans who succumb to the invisible 
        wounds of armed service to the United States must not be forgotten or 
        isolated, but instead should remain connected to available resources, 
        support, and the strength of the military and veteran communities;
Whereas the families of veterans who die by suicide hold valuable lessons from 
        their experiences that may help inform efforts to prevent future 
        suicides among veterans, and those experiences should be leveraged in 
        prevention efforts;
Whereas formal recognition of the families of veterans who succumb to the 
        invisible wounds of armed service to the United States is vital to the 
        strength, health, and survival of the veteran community;
Whereas those who have been lost to suicide and their families should be 
        remembered, recognized, supported, and heard on National Veterans 
        Suicide Prevention Day and throughout the year; and
Whereas September 30, 2026, is an appropriate day to designate as ``National 
        Veterans Suicide Prevention Day'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the designation of September 30, 2026, as 
        ``National Veterans Suicide Prevention Day''; and
            (2) encourages the people of the United States, veteran 
        service organizations, community partners, and health care 
        providers to observe the day with appropriate programs and 
        activities that raise awareness of veteran suicide prevention 
        and available resources.
                                 <all>