H.Res. 737

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 737 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 737

Supporting the designation of September 22 as ``National Veterans 
Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day'' and recognizing the Suicide 
Awareness and Remembrance Flag.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 18, 2025

Mr. Garbarino (for himself, Mr. Ryan, Ms. Malliotakis, Mr. Lawler, Ms. 
Tenney, and Mr. Morelle) submitted the following resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently 
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

RESOLUTION

Supporting the designation of September 22 as ``National Veterans 
Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day'' and recognizing the Suicide 
Awareness and Remembrance Flag.

Whereas military and veterans continue to be at great risk to die by suicide 
amongst the United States population;
Whereas military and veterans are nearly two times as likely to die by suicide 
compared to their civilian counterparts, and over 20 veterans and 
military die by suicide each day in the United States;
Whereas the United States has lost over 100,000 veterans to suicide since 2001, 
and post 9/11 veterans continue to be at the greatest risk to die by 
suicide among the veteran population;
Whereas suicide prevention services are vastly underutilized by our military and 
veterans due to the stigma of mental health, suicide, and seeking 
treatment;
Whereas the Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Flag (known as the ``S-A-R 
Flag''), was created by United States Air Force Veteran Kevin W. 
Hertell, who lost his cousin to suicide in 2016, Senior Airman Robert 
McRae Dean, United States Air Force;
Whereas Congress would establish the SAR Flag as an official symbol of our 
Nation's concern and commitment to recognize and resolve military and 
veteran suicide, break the stigma of mental health, suicide, and seeking 
treatment within the warrior culture of military and veterans to 
facilitate suicide prevention, and to honor the service and forever 
remember the lives of those veterans and military who died by suicide, 
as well as to honor, respect, and unite their families;
Whereas the SAR Flag also stands as a tangible symbol of hope to living veterans 
and military to show that we stand with them as they serve our country 
and transition back to civilian life and remind them that stigma-free 
treatment is available to facilitate suicide prevention;
Whereas we seek to elevate this issue in the public consciousness and raise our 
continued awareness, which promotes open dialogue and understanding 
about mental health issues among veterans and military members, breaks 
down the stigmas surrounding seeking help, and ensures that our veterans 
and military have access to the necessary resources and support without 
judgment;
Whereas it is our duty to raise awareness about the struggles faced by military 
members and veterans, combat the stigma surrounding mental health, and 
foster an environment that encourages seeking help;
Whereas designating a specific day for national awareness can bring attention to 
the importance of providing adequate mental health support and resources 
to military personnel and veterans;
Whereas September is recognized as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, providing 
an opportune time to focus on the unique challenges faced by those who 
have served the Nation; and
Whereas we recognize September 22 as National Veterans Suicide Awareness and 
Remembrance Day: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) officially recognizes the Suicide Awareness and 
Remembrance Flag and designates the flag as the Nation's symbol 
to raise our continued awareness of military and veteran 
suicide, as well as our commitment to recognize and resolve 
military and veteran suicide;
(2) forever remembers the lives and honors the service of 
those military and veterans who have died by suicide;
(3) commits to the raising of awareness of veteran and 
military suicide via the SAR flag;
(4) commits to posting the SAR Flag above all Federal 
buildings wherever there is an American Flag and POW/MIA Flag, 
365 days of the calendar year; and
(5) supports the designation of a ``National Veterans 
Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day''.
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