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October 28, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 170 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

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VETERAN SUICIDE CRISIS; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 170
(House of Representatives - October 28, 2019)

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[Page H8529]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         VETERAN SUICIDE CRISIS

  (Mr. JOHNSON of Louisiana asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. JOHNSON of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, as we approach Veterans Day, I 
rise to bring awareness again to the alarming rate of veteran suicide.
  This country owes all of our veterans and armed services personnel a 
limitless debt of gratitude for their sacrifices, so many that they 
made on our behalf. Our country simply wouldn't be the Nation it is 
today, of course, were it not for the many ways in which they have 
valiantly served.
  Very sadly, veteran suicide remains an urgent crisis that devastates 
too many families across our Nation every single day. The statistics 
are staggering. We know now that we lose up to 6,000 veterans to this 
unspeakable tragedy every year.
  For far too long, our country's brave men and women who fought abroad 
for our freedoms fall victim to suicide when they return home, and, of 
course, they leave families without fathers, mothers, brothers and 
sisters, sons and daughters.
  There are few things more heartbreaking than to hear of another brave 
soldier taking their own life, and we naturally ask the questions: How 
could this one have happened? Is there more that we could have done to 
intervene?
  I just want to say this. Here in Congress, we have a moral obligation 
to ensure that our veterans are given top priority and the resources 
and quality healthcare they need and truly deserve.
  We will continue to work on that priority. We will continue to 
advocate for all of those who served, and we will continue to draw 
attention to this terrible crisis in America.
  May God bless and watch over all of our troops and all those who have 
served the call of freedom.

                          ____________________