Sullivan Applauds Passage of Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act
WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, released the following statement today after the U.S. Senate voted 99-0 to approve the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act, of which he is a co-sponsor. The legislation will improve mental health care and suicide prevention resources for American servicemen and women.
“As a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I believe Congress must do everything within its power to ensure the men and women of our Armed Forces are cared for when they return home,” said Sen. Sullivan. “The issue of suicide is an issue that I’ve seen up close and personal, and it is unacceptable that many are struggling to find needed care. This legislation is a down payment on advancing mental health – and I was proud to co-sponsor and cast my first vote in the Veterans’ Affairs Committee in support of the Clay Hunt SAV Act. Our veterans deserve it.”
(To watch Sen. Sullivan’s entire floor speech, Click here.)
Following a weekend trip to visit the 1st Stryker Brigade from Fairbanks, AK currently training at the National Training Center in Ft. Irwin, CA, Sen. Sullivan returned to the Senate floor and in a powerful speech, urged his colleagues to support the bipartisan suicide prevention bill.
“I encourage all of my distinguished colleagues to vote for this bill tomorrow so we can get it on the President’s desk as soon as possible. This is a vote for Clay Hunt, for his courageous family, and for all families and their loves ones who have lost someone to the national tragedy of suicide. This vote is for my state—Alaska—which proudly boasts the highest number of veterans per capita in American, but sadly has the highest rates of suicide in the country.”
“And this is also a personal vote for me. It’s story that I don’t share lightly or often. As an officer in the Marine Corps, both on active duty and in the reserves, I have personally witnessed the struggles – at times tragic -- that some of our servicemen and women undergo. “
“The suicide of an outstanding young Alaskan Marine under my command still haunts me. You always wonder, could I have done more. With the proper awareness and resources, this Marine might be alive today. That’s why we NEED legislation like the Clay Hunt bill.”
The Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act, now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.
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