; Whereas more than 400 Texan lives were lost while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom; Whereas veterans across the country continue to face challenges in accessing essential resources supporting their successful transition to civilian life; Whereas Texas is home to countless medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, including Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center, the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, the Kerrville VA Hospital, Doris Miller Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and the Dallas VA Medical Center; Whereas nearly half of patients served by the Veterans Health Administration have been diagnosed with a mental illness or substance use condition; Whereas post-traumatic stress disorder has accounted for the majority of disabilities women veterans suffer from as a result of their military service; Whereas veteran mental health struggles have led to staggering statistics in veteran suicide rates, where roughly 17 veteran lives are lost per day as a result of suicide; Whereas, in 1994, Congress established the Center for Minority Veterans and the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans under the Veterans’ Benefits Improvements Act of 1994 ( Public Law 103–446 ) to advise to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on administering Department of Veterans Affairs benefits for minority veterans by reviewing reports and studies on compensation, health care, rehabilitation, outreach, and other benefits and services administered by the Department, and ensure all veterans receive equal service regardless of race, origin, religion, or gender; Whereas the Department of Housing and Urban Development estimates that more than 31,000 veterans are homeless, with nearly half experiencing unsheltered homelessness