AJR67: Joint Resolution Text

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JKS:cjs

2021 - 2022 LEGISLATURE

2021 Assembly JOINT RESOLUTION 67

July 1, 2021 - Introduced by Representatives Horlacher, Armstrong, Behnke, Brostoff, Cabral-Guevara, Cabrera, Emerson, Gundrum, Rozar, Spiros, Spreitzer, Subeck and Sinicki, cosponsored by Senators Jacque, Ballweg, Bewley, L. Taylor and Wanggaard. Referred to Committee on Rules.

AJR67,1,2 Relating to: recognizing June 27 as Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Day and June as Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Month.

AJR67,1,4 Whereas, all citizens possess the basic human right to the preservation of personal dignity; and

AJR67,1,6 Whereas, all citizens deserve the investment of every possible resource to ensure their lasting physical, mental, and emotional well-being; and

AJR67,1,9 Whereas, post-traumatic stress can result from any number of stressors that include combat, interpersonal violence, severe impact collisions, natural disaster, and exposure to the suffering of others; and

AJR67,1,12 Whereas, the diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was formulated in 1980 by the American Psychiatric Association to describe and categorize the psychological aftermath of severe traumatic distress; and

AJR67,2,2 Whereas, post-traumatic stress has historically been portrayed unjustly as a mental illness caused by a preexisting flaw of character or ability, and association with the word “disorder" generates a stigma which perpetuates this misconception; and

AJR67,2,5 Whereas, electro-magnetic imaging has shown that severe post-traumatic stress causes physical changes within the brain that are more accurately described as an injury than a disorder; and

AJR67,2,8 Whereas, referring to post-traumatic stress as a disorder can disparage the injured and discourage them from seeking timely care for their behavioral health needs; and

AJR67,2,12 Whereas, post-traumatic stress injury exhibiting compliance with criteria B through H of § 309.81 in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic Statistical Manual deserves compensation strictly matching that presently allowed under the law for post-traumatic stress disorder; and

AJR67,2,17 Whereas, all citizens suffering from post-traumatic stress injury deserve our compassion and consideration, especially the brave men and women who received these wounds while risking their lives to protect our freedom, health, and welfare and who deserve special recognition of their gallantry, commitment, devotion, and sacrifice; and

AJR67,2,19 Whereas, timely access to appropriate treatment of post-traumatic stress injury can diminish complications and prevent suicide; now, therefore, be it

AJR67,2,23 Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the Wisconsin State Legislature designates June 27 as Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Day, designates June as Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Month, and encourages all Wisconsinites to join in this worthy observance; and, be it further

AJR67,3,3 Resolved, That the Wisconsin State Legislature respectfully urges the Department of Health Services and Department of Veterans Affairs to continue to educate victims of interpersonal violence, combat, life-threatening accidents, or natural disasters, as well as their families and the general public, about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of post-traumatic stress injury; and, be it further

AJR67,3,6 Resolved, That the Wisconsin State Legislature directs that this resolution be transmitted to the governor and encourages the governor to issue a proclamation to the same effect as this resolution.

AJR67,3,7 (End)