HR1246 LRB095 21004 KXB 50089 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, More than 1.6 million U.S. military personnel have
3 been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001, including
4 160,000 currently serving; and
 
5     WHEREAS, A recent independent study by the Rand Corporation
6 found that one in five combat soldiers experience severe
7 depression or post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of
8 their service; and
 
9     WHEREAS, The report estimates that more than 300,000
10 soldiers are suffering from mental disorders due to their
11 combat service; and
 
12     WHEREAS, A record number of U.S. soldiers returning home
13 committed suicide in 2007; and
 
14     WHEREAS, The Pentagon reports that over 30,000 troops have
15 been wounded in service; this does not take into account
16 soldiers with psychological trauma; and
 
17     WHEREAS, Recent findings from the Department of Veterans
18 Affairs reveal a pattern of errors and blatantly misleading
19 figures when estimating the number of soldiers suffering
20 physiological injuries; and
 

 

 

HR1246 - 2 - LRB095 21004 KXB 50089 r

1     WHEREAS, The Department of Veterans Affairs, including Dr.
2 Ira Katz, who is in charge of mental health issues for the
3 Veterans Administration, has repeatedly shown that they are out
4 of touch with the needs of returning soldiers; and
 
5     WHEREAS, In order to fully address the needs of soldiers
6 suffering from physiological trauma, the federal government
7 must first have accurate figures from officials that can be
8 trusted to do what is best for the men and women of the armed
9 forces; therefore, be it
 
10     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
11 NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
12 strongly urge the Department of Veterans Affairs to relieve Dr.
13 Ira Katz of his duties and replace him with an official that
14 will provide accurate information on the number and needs of
15 soldiers returning home with physiological trauma and
16 furthermore place a new emphasis on recognition, treatment and
17 care of soldiers suffering from depression or post-traumatic
18 stress disorder; and be it further
 
19     RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be delivered to
20 the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and to each member of the
21 Illinois congressional delegation.