On the recordDecember 9, 2014
I thank the chairman, the ranking member, and Mr. Walz, thank you so much for introducing this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to support the Clay Hunt SAV Act. I am honored to be an original cosponsor of this important legislation. As the father of a veteran, and a doctor who worked at the VA hospital in northern Michigan, I know that the challenges of military life do not end once our servicemembers return from active duty. The mental wounds of war may be invisible, but no less real to the young men and women suffering from them. Facing high unemployment rates, the stigma of post-traumatic stress disorder, and the loss of military fellowship, returning veterans often face a crisis of confidence at the very moment they should feel nothing but relief and rest. That is why our bill will help the VA to put the very best mental health professionals to work for our veterans and will create peer support networks to help catch those transitioning servicemembers who might otherwise fall through the cracks. The time to act to address the epidemic of veterans suicide is now. With this bill, and with continued focus on the health of our veterans, and their mental health as well, we can make a real impact. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and pass the Clay Hunt SAV Act.
