BILL NUMBER: ACR 107	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Members Eng and Cook
   (Principal coauthor: Senator Correa)
   (Coauthor: Assembly Member Pan)
   (Coauthor: Senator Cannella)

                        FEBRUARY 13, 2012

   Relative to PTSD Awareness Day.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 107, as introduced, Eng. PTSD Awareness Day.
   This measure would recognize June 27, 2012, as Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder Awareness Day.
   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, Throughout our nation's history, the men and women of the
United States Armed Forces have preserved our freedom, protected our
security, and upheld our democratic values; from the battles of the
American Revolution through the crucible of two world wars to the
wars in Iraq and Afghanistan today, our men and women in uniform have
stood proudly in defense of the United States and the cause of
liberty; and
   WHEREAS, The brave men and women of the United States Armed
Forces, who proudly serve the United States, risk their lives to
protect the freedom of the United States and deserve the investment
of every reasonable resource to ensure their lasting physical,
mental, and emotional well-being; and
   WHEREAS, The incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in
members of the military is rising as the United States Armed Forces
conducts two wars, exposing hundreds of thousands of soldiers to
traumatic life-threatening events; and
   WHEREAS, The federal Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that
as many as 95 percent of veterans returning from combat in Iraq and
Afghanistan have some form of PTSD; and
   WHEREAS, Symptoms include nightmares, feeling numb, having
difficulty experiencing love or closeness with others, feeling
jittery or overly alert, having difficulty sleeping, experiencing
anger or irritability, having difficulty concentrating, substance
problems, and having feelings of despair or hopelessness; and
   WHEREAS, Although the Department of Defense and the Department of
Veterans Affairs have made significant advances in the prevention,
diagnosis, and treatment of PTSD and the symptoms of PTSD, many
challenges remain; and
   WHEREAS, According to the National Institute for Mental Health,
PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a
terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or
was threatened; and
   WHEREAS, The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of
Defense should continue to work to educate service members, veterans,
the families of service members and veterans, and the public about
the causes, symptoms, and treatment of PTSD; and
   WHEREAS, It is important to all citizens of the State of
California, that those who served our country in the military are
aware of the symptoms of PTSD and are able to seek help; now,
therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature pause in its deliberations
to memorialize Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr., and to proclaim June
27, 2012, as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day in the
state, fully confident that such procedure mirrors our shared
commitment to preserve, to ensure, and to yet effect that patrimony
of freedom which is our American Heritage; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.