FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 9, 2014
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CONTACT:
Kevin Smith, Michael Steel
202-225-0600
House Passes Bipartisan Bill to Prevent Veteran Suicides
WASHINGTON, DC – House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) issued the following statement after the House passed H.R. 5059, the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act:
“The men and women who serve and protect this nation deserve timely, high-quality care from our VA health care system, especially in the area of mental health. Today, I had the honor of meeting Clay Hunt’s parents. Clay served his country in Iraq & Afghanistan, earning a Purple Heart. After returning home, he continued to selflessly help others, participating in humanitarian work and advocating to improve the lives of fellow veterans. Tragically, after suffering from PTSD, Clay’s life ended far too soon. The bill we passed today in his honor will help ensure that resources are available to help prevent the all-too-common tragedy of our veterans committing suicide while waiting for crucial care. I commend Clay’s parents and the Veterans’ Affairs Committee for their hard work and urge the Senate to take swift action on this bill.”
NOTE: Today, Speaker Boehner meet with Clay Hunt’s parents, Susan Selke and Richard Selke (pictured), thanking them for their hard work to get the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act passed.
