WHEREAS, Traumatic brain injury is a serious national public health epidemic that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, strikes an estimated 1.7 million; and
     WHEREAS, Annually, traumatic brain injury claims more than 50,000 lives and leaves more than 80,000 individuals with lifelong disabilities; and
     WHEREAS, Traumatic brain injury ranks as the leading cause of death and disability in children and young adults; and
     WHEREAS, The Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center reports that traumatic brain injury is the "signature injury" for troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, with more than two-thirds of blast-injured veterans identified as having a brain injury; and
     WHEREAS, Prevention is the only known cure; and
     WHEREAS, In partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Health Resources and Services Administration and the Defense Brain and Spinal Cord Association of Washington strive to increase brain injury awareness, thus making prevention and safety measures part of the American culture in an effort to decrease the number of brain injuries;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize and honor the efforts of the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Health Resources and Services Administration, Defense Brain and Spinal Cord Association of Washington, The Brain Injury Association of Washington, Brain Energy Support Team (BEST), The Brain Injury Task Force, and all organizations and individuals to increase brain injury awareness, decrease the number of brain injuries, assist in various ways those who suffer brain injuries, and urge all citizens to educate themselves and take the necessary precautions to ensure their own safety and that of their loved ones.