Pennsylvania SR 141: A Resolution designating the month of September 2025 as "Military Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1128
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 141
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY ROBINSON, DUSH, MASTRIANO, PENNYCUICK, ROTHMAN,
YAW, COSTA, LANGERHOLC, BROOKS, HUGHES, TARTAGLIONE, COMITTA,
BARTOLOTTA, PHILLIPS-HILL, BROWN, MARTIN, HAYWOOD,
HUTCHINSON, SCHWANK, ARGALL, J. WARD, CULVER, MALONE, KANE
AND LAUGHLIN, SEPTEMBER 1, 2025
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, SEPTEMBER 1, 2025
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of September 2025 as "Military Suicide
Prevention and Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Current studies confirm a high suicide rate among
United States military veterans; and
WHEREAS, Suicide is a national public health issue among
veterans, nonveteran adults and United States adults; and
WHEREAS, Veterans are 1.5 times more likely to die by suicide
than those who have never served in the military; and
WHEREAS, The risk factor for female veterans is 2.2 times
higher; and
WHEREAS, In this Commonwealth, we lose nearly 250 veterans
per year to suicide; and
WHEREAS, The reason for the elevated suicide rate among
veterans may be attributed to the availability of lethal means
to carry out suicide, and contributing factors may include high
exposure to trauma, stress, burnout, addiction, isolation,
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16

unemployment, homelessness, loneliness and difficulties
reintegrating into civilian life; and
WHEREAS, Officials at the Department of Military and Veterans
Affairs have responded to the veteran suicide crisis by leading
the Pennsylvania Governor's and Mayor's Challenges to Prevent
Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families, and
coordinate concerted efforts to expand their community outreach
efforts; and
WHEREAS, Major General John R. Pippy, The Adjutant General of
Pennsylvania, originated the Department of Military and Veterans
Affairs motto, "One Team, One Mission," which reflects the
values of strength, honor and commitment in serving our
warfighters, veterans and their families and further recognizes
the importance of providing veterans with the support, resources
and respect they have earned through their service and
sacrifice; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the month of September
2025 as "Military Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month" in
Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate fully support the bipartisan
actions of the 119th Congress and the United States Department
of Veterans Affairs as they continue to work together to improve
the needed support for our veterans and their families.
20250SR0141PN1128 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23