1.1A Senate resolution
1.2endorsing the creation of new Vet Centers in Minnesota.
1.3WHEREAS, veterans of the United States Armed Forces have honorably and selflessly
1.4served our country; and
1.5WHEREAS, many veterans live with mental health issues including post-traumatic stress
1.6disorder, substance abuse disorder, anxiety disorders, and depression; and
1.7WHEREAS, the 2019 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report estimated that
1.8the suicide rate for veterans was 1.5 times the rate for nonveteran adults; and
1.9WHEREAS, Vet Centers are proven to reduce the number of veterans who die by suicide
1.10or experience homelessness; and
1.11WHEREAS, Vet Centers effectively aid with the transition from military to civilian worlds,
1.12to peace after combat, and from the abnormal state of war to everyday life; and
1.13WHEREAS, Vet Centers appreciate the whole veteran, the veteran's family, and the veteran's
1.14community, and endeavor to improve all by helping one; and
1.15WHEREAS, Minnesota is among only six states with over 90,000 veterans per Vet Center;
1.16and
1.17WHEREAS, Minnesota has the third-lowest ratio of Vet Centers to veterans in the United
1.18States ahead of only Kentucky and Virginia; and
1.19WHEREAS, Minnesota has not increased its number of Vet Centers in over ten years; and
1.20NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it
1.21endorses the creation of new Vet Centers in order to establish an appropriate and beneficial ratio
1.22of Vet Centers to veterans, respecting both their service and the challenges that accompany that
1.23service.
1.24BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an
1.25enrolled copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the
1.26Chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee.

Cal R. LudemanSecretary of the Senate

Jeremy R. MillerChair, Senate Committee onRules and Administration

Aric PutnamState Senator, District 14