Rep. Jeremie Dufault’s floor remarks on HB 1181 (Veterans & Military Suicide) | March 7, 2022
2 Video Views·Mar 9, 2022
Rep. Jeremie Dufault provides floor remarks on House Bill 1181. The measure will:
• Create various outreach programs and other services to prevent suicide among veterans and military service members.
• Establish a veterans suicide prevention emblem for license plates.
• Require certain buildings, bridges, ferries, and parks to display a sign with the 988 National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Hotline.
• Allow the Secretary of State to raise funds for a Washington State Global War on Terrorism Veterans Memorial.
Learn more about House Bill 1181: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1181&Year=2021&Initiative=false
Thank you Mr. Speaker and I'd like to thank the good lady from the 33rd for her work on this
very important issue. I'd also like to thank the gentleman from the 10th for allowing me
the opportunity to speak on his behalf or on behalf of the caucus on this important bill.
Mr. Speaker, as a veteran of the global war on terror, I'm so humbled to be able to advocate
for this account that was added by the Senate. Mr. Speaker, there are so many of my sisters and
brothers in arms who not only gave their lives in Afghanistan and in Iraq but in various theaters
all over CENTCOM, places that we don't hear about very often but where our soldiers, our sailors,
our airmen and our marines gave the ultimate sacrifice for this great country of ours.
And I'm so humbled, Mr. Speaker, by any time I have the opportunity to speak about veterans
and the folks who are our neighbors, who are our friends, who are our unsung heroes that have all
raised their right hand and swore an oath up to and including their life in service of this country.
And Mr. Speaker, you hope that that check never gets cashed but when it does the least we can do
is to honor the sacrifice and whether that sacrifice comes in a theater of war or whether
it comes back home due to the scars that those service members have borne and continue to bear.
We should recognize it. We should salute it. I salute it today and I ask you to join me, Mr.
Speaker. Please vote yes. Thank you for the remarks. Seeing none, the question before the
House is final passage of engrossed second substitute House Bill 1181 as amended by the
Senate. Do the whips need to excuse members? Seeing none, the Speaker's about to start the
roll call machine. The Speaker has started the roll call machine. Has every member voted? Does
any member wish to change their vote? The Speaker's about to lock the roll call machine. The Speaker
has locked the roll call machine. Clerk will take the record. Mr. Speaker, there are 98 yeas, zero
nays, zero excused. Having received a constitutional majority, engrossed second substitute House Bill
1181 as amended by the Senate is declared passed.