H.C.R. 1 Enrolled
1
2
3
4
5
6
7 Cosponsors:
8 Jennifer M. Seelig
9 Tim M. Cosgrove
10 Rebecca Chavez-Houck
11 Joel K. Briscoe
12 Brad L. Dee
13 Gregory H. Hughes
14 Don L. Ipson
15 Jacob L. Anderegg
16 Jerry B. Anderson
17 Johnny Anderson
18 Patrice M. Arent
19 Stewart Barlow
20 Roger E. Barrus
21 Jim Bird
22 Melvin R. Brown
23 Jack R. Draxler
24 Susan DuckworthRebecca P. Edwards
Gage Froerer
Francis D. Gibson
Richard A. Greenwood
Stephen G. Handy
Lynn N. Hemingway
Eric K. Hutchings
Ken Ivory
Brian S. King
John Knotwell
Bradley G. Last
David E. Lifferth
John G. Mathis
Kay L. McIff
Mike K. McKell
Carol Spackman Moss
Merrill F. Nelson
Jim NielsonMichael E. Noel
Curtis Oda
Lee B. Perry
Jeremy A. Peterson
Val L. Peterson
Dixon M. Pitcher
Marie H. Poulson
Kraig Powell
Paul Ray
Edward H. Redd
Angela Romero
V. Lowry Snow
Jon E. Stanard
R. Curt Webb
John R. Westwood
Mark A. Wheatley
Ryan D. Wilcox
Larry B. Wiley 25
26 LONG TITLE
27 General Description:
28 This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor designates July 3, 2014,
29 as "Call Your Military Hero Day."
30 Highlighted Provisions:
31 This resolution:
32 . designates July 3, 2014, as "Call Your Military Hero Day" in the state of Utah and
33 urges Utah's citizens and military personnel to strengthen bonds of friendship with
34 military veterans and active duty servicemembers.
35 Special Clauses:
36 None
37
38 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
39 WHEREAS, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs reports that, based on
40 both its own data and data reported by 21 states from 1999 through 2011, 22 military veterans
41 take their own lives every day;
42 WHEREAS, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs added that 70% of these
43 suicides are committed by military veterans 50 years of age or older;
44 WHEREAS, if more complete and accurate data were available on suicide victims, the
45 number of suicides among military veterans would be even higher;
46 WHEREAS, nearly one in five suicides nationally is a military veteran, even though
47 veterans make up about 10% of the population;
48 WHEREAS, combat stress is just one reason why some military veterans commit
49 suicide;
50 WHEREAS, these reasons include the struggle some military veterans have after being
51 a victim of violent assault, including rape;
52 WHEREAS, other reasons include economic pressure and rising unemployment, as
53 many military veterans struggle to obtain employment at the conclusion of their service;
54 WHEREAS, according to a survey of 4,000 veterans conducted in 2012, about one out
55 of every three responded that they had considered suicide;
56 WHEREAS, suicide is also a significant challenge among active duty military
57 personnel;
58 WHEREAS, Leon Panetta, former United States Defense Secretary, has called the
59 suicide rate among active duty military personnel "an epidemic";
60 WHEREAS, the United States Army has reported that it has not been able to provide
61 the same type of suicide awareness and prevention programs to Army Reserve and National
62 Guard personnel living as civilians back in their communities as it provides to active duty
63 personnel;
64 WHEREAS, one key to ending this epidemic is to have more people taking a personal
65 interest in the lives of individual military veterans and active duty military personnel, people
66 who genuinely care and will make the time and effort to connect and stay connected with those
67 who have served or continue to serve our nation;
68 WHEREAS, military personnel and Utah citizens who reach out to military veterans
69 and active duty military personnel and establish and strengthen bonds of friendship are an
70 inestimable force for good that can save lives;
71 WHEREAS, veterans and active duty military personnel deserve to know that they are
72 not alone when facing their struggles, that we feel a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation
73 for the sacrifices of all veterans and active duty military personnel in all branches of military
74 service, and that we recognize our debt to them; and
75 WHEREAS, after all that our military veterans and active duty military personnel have
76 done and endured for us, in standing in harm's way in our place, it is incumbent upon us to
77 reach out to them and lift their spirits, help them cope with their unique struggles, listen to
78 them, and demonstrate to them that our appreciation for their service and sacrifice has become
79 a part of who we are as individuals and as citizens:
80 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
81 Governor concurring therein, designates July 3, 2014, as "Call Your Military Hero Day" in the
82 state of Utah.
83 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor urge citizens and
84 military personnel to reach out to military veterans and active duty military personnel to
85 establish and strengthen bonds of friendship so that they will know that they are not alone when
86 facing their struggles, that we are filled with gratitude and appreciation for the sacrifices of all
87 veterans in all branches of military service, and that we recognize our debt to them for putting
88 themselves in harm's way in our place.
89 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the United
90 States Department of Veterans Affairs, the Utah Department of Veterans' and Military Affairs,
91 and the members of Utah's congressional delegation.
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