SR 359

                                                PRINTER'S NO.   1912
             THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
     SENATE RESOLUTION
        No. 359
                                          Session of
                                            2026
INTRODUCED BY PENNYCUICK, ROBINSON, YAW, ROTHMAN, MASTRIANO,
   DUSH, LANGERHOLC, BROOKS, PICOZZI, BROWN, BAKER, HAYWOOD AND
   KANE, AUGUST 24, 2026
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, AUGUST 24, 2026
                           A RESOLUTION
1 Recognizing the month of September 2026 as "Veteran Suicide
2    Prevention and Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
3    WHEREAS, Studies confirm a high suicide rate among United
4 States military veterans; and
5    WHEREAS, Suicide is a national public health issue among
6 veterans and nonveteran adults; and
7    WHEREAS, In this Commonwealth, nearly 250 veterans per year
8 are lost to suicide; and
9    WHEREAS, Veterans are 1.5 times more likely to die by
10 suicide, with the risk factor for female veterans being 2.2
11 times higher; and
12    WHEREAS, Veterans often struggle with mental health
13 conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety,
14 depression and traumatic brain injuries, all factors that
15 contribute to the elevated suicide rate; and
16    WHEREAS, Societal factors such as unemployment, homelessness,
17 loneliness and difficulties reintegrating into civilian life
1 also contribute to the elevated suicide rate; and
2      WHEREAS, The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs has
3 responded to the veteran suicide crisis by leading the
4 Pennsylvania Governor's and Mayor's Challenges to Prevent
5 Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans and their Families and
6 by launching Statewide efforts to host Lethal Means Safety
7 events to educate the public about suicide prevention; and
8      WHEREAS, Major General John R. Pippy, the Adjutant General of
9 Pennsylvania, originated the Department of Military and Veterans
10 Affairs motto, "One Team, One Mission," which reflects the
11 values of strength, honor and commitment in serving our
12 warfighters, veterans and their families and recognizes the
13 importance of providing veterans with the support, resources and
14 respect they have earned through their sacrifice; therefore be
15 it
16      RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the month of September
17 2026 as "Veteran Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month" in
18 Pennsylvania; and be it further
19      RESOLVED, That the Senate fully support the actions of the
20 Department of Military and Veterans Affairs as the department
21 continues to work on the needed support for our veterans and
22 their families.
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