LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim June 27, 2011, as PTSD Awareness Day in the State of New York

WHEREAS, Throughout our Nation's history, the men and women of America's
Armed Forces have preserved our freedom, protected our security and
upheld our democratic values; from the battles of the American Revo-
lution 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 in 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 reason-
able 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 trau-
matic 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 Afghan-
istan have some form of post-traumatic stress disorder (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, diag-
nosis, 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 post-traumatic stress disorder; and
WHEREAS, It is important to all citizens of the State of New York,
that those who served our country in the military are aware of the symp-
toms of PTSD and are able to seek help; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim Monday, June 27, 2011,
as PTSD Awareness Day in the State of New York, 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 a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.