Expressing support for the designation of the second Saturday in June as "Veterans Get Outside Day".

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 490 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 490

 Expressing support for the designation of the second Saturday in June 
                    as ``Veterans Get Outside Day''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              June 9, 2025

     Mr. Amo (for himself and Mr. Moulton) submitted the following 
   resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and 
                           Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing support for the designation of the second Saturday in June 
                    as ``Veterans Get Outside Day''.

Whereas, between 2000 and 2024, the Secretary of Defense found that more than 
        460,000 members of the Armed Forces were diagnosed with traumatic brain 
        injuries;
Whereas studies have found that, after decades of combat in Afghanistan and 
        Iraq, 20 percent of veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress and 
        depression;
Whereas the Department of Veterans Affairs found that veterans suffer a 
        disproportionately higher rate of suicide compared to non-veterans, and 
        post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, depression, and anxiety 
        are root causes of the suicide epidemic in the veteran community, with 
        an estimated 17.6 suicides per day in 2022;
Whereas, despite a strong effort by Congress and Department of Veterans Affairs 
        to reduce the number of veterans' suicides, there are still gaps in 
        mental health care for veterans, and the United States needs to use 
        every treatment available to support the veteran community;
Whereas studies have shown that exposure to nature and the outdoors has 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 Outdoors Day on the second 
        Saturday in June to promote the health benefits of outdoor recreational 
        activities;
Whereas the United States has recognized the need to connect 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 House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of ``Veterans Get Outside 
        Day''; and
            (2) encourages the Department of Veterans Affairs, the 
        Forest Service, and the Department of the Interior to 
        coordinate and cooperate in promoting Veterans Get Outside Day 
        along with National Get Outdoors Day.
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