[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 7] [Senate] [Pages 9803-9804] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS ______ SENATE RESOLUTION 541--DESIGNATING JUNE 27, 2010, AS ``NATIONAL POST- TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER AWARENESS DAY'' Mr. CONRAD submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary: S. Res. 541 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 possible resource to ensure their lasting physical, mental, and emotional well-being; Whereas 12 percent of Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans, 11 percent of Operation Enduring Freedom veterans, 10 percent of Operation Desert Storm veterans, 30 percent of Vietnam veterans, and at least 8 percent of the general population of the United States suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (referred to in this preamble as ``PTSD''); Whereas the incidence of PTSD in members of the military is rising as the United States Armed Forces conducts 2 wars, exposing hundreds of thousands of soldiers to traumatic life- threatening events; Whereas women, who are more than twice as likely to experience PTSD than men, are increasingly engaged in direct combat on the [[Page 9804]] front lines, putting these women at even greater risk of PTSD; Whereas-- (1) from 2003 to 2007, approximately 40,000 Department of Defense patients were diagnosed with PTSD; and (2) from 2000 to 2009-- (A) more than 5,000 individuals were hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of PTSD; and (B) more than 500,000 individuals were treated for PTSD in outpatient visits; Whereas PTSD significantly increases the risk of depression, suicide, and drug and alcohol related disorders and deaths; Whereas the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs have made significant advances in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of PTSD and the symptoms of PTSD, but many challenges remain; and Whereas the establishment of a National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day will raise public awareness about issues related to PTSD: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-- (1) designates June 27, 2010, as ``National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day''; (2) urges the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense to continue working to educate servicemembers, veterans, the families of servicemembers and veterans, and the public about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder; and (3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate transmit a copy of this resolution to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense. Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, today I am submitting a Senate resolution to designate June 27, 2010, as National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day. That date was inspired by the birthday of North Dakota National Guard Staff Sergeant Joe Biel. Staff Sergeant Biel served two tours of duty in Iraq as a Trailblazer, part of a unit responsible for route clearance operations. Each day, Joe's mission was to go out with his unit every day to find and remove Improvised Explosive Devices and other dangers from heavily traveled roads to make it safe for coalition forces and Iraqi civilians to travel. As a result of those experiences, Joe suffered from PTSD and, tragically, took his own life in April 2007. There is absolutely no doubt that Joe Biel is a hero who gave his life for our country. I learned of Joe's story because friends from his platoon, the 4th Platoon, A Company, of the North Dakota National Guard's 164th Combat Engineer Battalion, have organized an annual motorcycle ride across the state of North Dakota in his memory. The Joe Biel Memorial Ride serves as a reunion for the 164th, a memorial for a lost friend, and a beacon to those suffering from PTSD and other mental issues across the region. The key point made to me by the event's organizer, Staff Sergeant Matt Leaf, is that we have to raise awareness of this disease so that the lives of servicemembers, veterans, and other PTSD sufferers can be by greater awareness of and treatment for this disorder. For many, the war does not end when the warrior comes home. All too many servicemembers and veterans face PTSD symptoms like anxiety, anger, and depression as they try to adjust to life after war. We cannot sweep these problems under the rug. PTSD is real. The Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs have made significant advances in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of PTSD and its symptoms, but many challenges yet remain. More must be done to inform and educate veterans, families and communities on the facts about this illness and the resources and treatments available. That is why SSG Leaf and his fellow Trailblazers started the Joe Biel Memorial Bike Ride. And that is why I am introducing this Resolution. These efforts are about letting our troops--past and present--know it's okay to come forward and say they need help. It's a sign of strength, not weakness, to seek assistance. It is my hope that this message will be heard. In the words of SSG Leaf, ``maybe if we all take a minute to listen, we can stop one more tragedy from ever happening again.'' Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a letter about Joe Biel be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: Joe Biel Memorial Bike Ride On April 26th 2007 we lost one of the best soldiers the United States Military and the North Dakota Army National Guard had ever had the privilege of enlisting. Staff Sergeant Joseph Arthur Biel took his own life in Devils Lake North Dakota surrounded by his peers superiors and some of his best friends. He shot himself in the mouth while these people looked on and his last words were ``tell everybody I love them'' the shot was heard as far away as Fargo North Dakota. Specialist David Young was on the phone with SSG Matthew Leaf while standing directly in front of SSG Biel as he pulled the trigger. This was the most horrific and worst day of our lives. Tears did not stop for 3 days as Joe's platoon (4th platoon A Company 164 Combat Engineers) deployed upon the small town of Devils Lake North Dakota. Everybody was asking one question ``Why?'' Why we failed Joe Biel? Why we did not understand PTSD? Why so many of us have problems when we return from overseas? Why nobody wants to listen? Why nobody understands? Why we are afraid to talk about it? Why we think nobody cares? Why can't I get help? Why will nobody listen to me? These are the questions that race through our minds after this tragedy. We deserve and have earned the right to be understood. The answer is too simple. PTSD is real and it needs to be addressed now. With the help of fellow veterans, spouses, loved ones, the V.A. and our Government. Please take the time to listen too and understand this disorder and at the very least be made aware of how this is affecting our Veterans and our lives, not just those who have served but all of the fine citizens of the United States. Maybe if we all take a minute to listen we can stop one more tragedy from ever happening again. Sincerely SSG Matthew James Leaf, North Dakota Army National Guard. ____________________