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HR1246 |
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LRB095 21004 KXB 50089 r |
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| HOUSE RESOLUTION
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| WHEREAS, More than 1.6 million U.S. military personnel have |
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| been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001, including |
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| 160,000 currently serving; and
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| WHEREAS, A recent independent study by the Rand Corporation |
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| found that one in five combat soldiers experience severe |
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| depression or post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of |
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| their service; and
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| WHEREAS, The report estimates that more than 300,000 |
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| soldiers are suffering from mental disorders due to their |
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| combat service; and
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| WHEREAS, A record number of U.S. soldiers returning home |
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| committed suicide in 2007; and
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| WHEREAS, The Pentagon reports that over 30,000 troops have |
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| been wounded in service; this does not take into account |
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| soldiers with psychological trauma; and
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| WHEREAS, Recent findings from the Department of Veterans |
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| Affairs reveal a pattern of errors and blatantly misleading |
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| figures when estimating the number of soldiers suffering |
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| physiological injuries; and
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HR1246 |
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LRB095 21004 KXB 50089 r |
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| WHEREAS, The Department of Veterans Affairs, including Dr. |
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| Ira Katz, who is in charge of mental health issues for the |
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| Veterans Administration, has repeatedly shown that they are out |
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| of touch with the needs of returning soldiers; and
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| WHEREAS, In order to fully address the needs of soldiers |
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| suffering from physiological trauma, the federal government |
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| must first have accurate figures from officials that can be |
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| trusted to do what is best for the men and women of the armed |
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| forces; therefore, be it
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| RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE |
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| NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we |
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| strongly urge the Department of Veterans Affairs to relieve Dr. |
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| Ira Katz of his duties and replace him with an official that |
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| will provide accurate information on the number and needs of |
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| soldiers returning home with physiological trauma and |
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| furthermore place a new emphasis on recognition, treatment and |
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| care of soldiers suffering from depression or post-traumatic |
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| stress disorder; and be it further
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| RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be delivered to |
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| the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and to each member of the |
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| Illinois congressional delegation.
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