First Substitute H.C.R. 1
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8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor designates July 3, 2014,
11 as "Call Your Military Hero Day."
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This resolution:
14 . designates July 3, 2014, as "Call Your Military Hero Day" in the state of Utah and
15 urges Utah's citizens and military personnel to strengthen bonds of friendship with
16 military veterans and active duty servicemembers.
17 Special Clauses:
18 None
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20 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
21 WHEREAS, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs reports that, based on
22 both its own data and data reported by 21 states from 1999 through 2011, 22 military veterans
23 take their own lives every day;
24 WHEREAS, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs added that 70% of these
25 suicides are committed by military veterans 50 years of age or older;
26 WHEREAS, if more complete and accurate data were available on suicide victims, the
27 number of suicides among military veterans would be even higher;
28 WHEREAS, nearly one in five suicides nationally is a military veteran, even though
29 veterans make up about 10% of the population;
30 WHEREAS, combat stress is just one reason why some military veterans commit
31 suicide;
32 WHEREAS, these reasons include the struggle some military veterans have after being
33 a victim of violent assault, including rape;
34 WHEREAS, other reasons include economic pressure and rising unemployment, as
35 many military veterans struggle to obtain employment at the conclusion of their service;
36 WHEREAS, according to a survey of 4,000 veterans conducted in 2012, about one out
37 of every three responded that they had considered suicide;
38 WHEREAS, suicide is also a significant challenge among active duty military
39 personnel;
40 WHEREAS, Leon Panetta, former United States Defense Secretary, has called the
41 suicide rate among active duty military personnel "an epidemic";
42 WHEREAS, the United States Army has reported that it has not been able to provide
43 the same type of suicide awareness and prevention programs to Army Reserve and National
44 Guard personnel living as civilians back in their communities as it provides to active duty
45 personnel;
46 WHEREAS, one key to ending this epidemic is to have more people taking a personal
47 interest in the lives of individual military veterans and active duty military personnel, people
48 who genuinely care and will make the time and effort to connect and stay connected with those
49 who have served or continue to serve our nation;
50 WHEREAS, military personnel and Utah citizens who reach out to military veterans
51 and active duty military personnel and establish and strengthen bonds of friendship are an
52 inestimable force for good that can save lives;
53 WHEREAS, veterans and active duty military personnel deserve to know that they are
54 not alone when facing their struggles, that we feel a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation
55 for the sacrifices of all veterans and active duty military personnel in all branches of military
56 service, and that we recognize our debt to them; and
57 WHEREAS, after all that our military veterans and active duty military personnel have
58 done and endured for us, in standing in harm's way in our place, it is incumbent upon us to
59 reach out to them and lift their spirits, help them cope with their unique struggles, listen to
60 them, and demonstrate to them that our appreciation for their service and sacrifice has become
61 a part of who we are as individuals and as citizens:
62 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
63 Governor concurring therein, designates July 3, 2014, as "Call Your Military Hero Day" in the
64 state of Utah.
65 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor urge citizens and
66 military personnel to reach out to military veterans and active duty military personnel to
67 establish and strengthen bonds of friendship so that they will know that they are not alone when
68 facing their struggles, that we are filled with gratitude and appreciation for the sacrifices of all
69 veterans in all branches of military service, and that we recognize our debt to them for putting
70 themselves in harm's way in our place.
71 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the United
72 States Department of Veterans Affairs, the Utah Department of Veterans' and Military Affairs,
73 and the members of Utah's congressional delegation.
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