Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 26–Assemblymen Ohrenschall, Anderson, Angle, Arberry, Bache, Beers, Berman, Brower, Brown, Buckley, Carpenter, Cegavske, Chowning, Claborn, Collins, de Braga, Dini, Freeman, Gibbons, Giunchigliani, Goldwater, Gustavson, Hettrick, Humke, Koivisto, Lee, Leslie, Manendo, Marvel, McClain, Mortenson, Neighbors, Nolan, Oceguera, Parks, Parnell, Perkins, Price, Smith, Tiffany, Von Tobel and Williams
Joint Sponsors: Senators Titus, Amodei, Care, Carlton, Coffin, Jacobsen, James, Mathews, McGinness, Neal, O’Connell, O’Donnell, Porter, Raggio, Rawson, Rhoads, Schneider, Shaffer, Townsend, Washington and Wiener
Assembly Concurrent RESOLUTION—Commending the musical group R.E.M. for encouraging the prevention of teen suicide in one of their songs.
Whereas, Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death in the United
States and the third leading cause of death among teenagers 15 to 19 years
of age; and
Whereas, The national suicide rate has more than tripled in the last
four decades, a tragedy in itself and a source of devastation to millions of
family members and loved ones; and
Whereas, The alarming prevalence of suicide in the United States has
even caused the Surgeon General in 1999 to publicly recognize suicide as
a public health problem; and
Whereas, According to the National Center for Health Statistics,
Nevada has the highest rate of suicide per capita in this country; and
Whereas, In 1999, 20 percent of high school students reported having
seriously considered or having attempted suicide during the previous 12
months, and 8 percent of those who seriously considered suicide actually
attempted suicide; and
Whereas, Teen suicide is one of the most disruptive and tragic events a
community can experience as it mourns society’s loss of the unique
contribution that could have been made by that particular person; and
Whereas, The greatest tragedy is that research shows us that 95
percent of all teen suicides are preventable; and
Whereas, It is morally imperative that the residents of this state do all
that is possible to aid in the prevention of teen suicide and assist depressed
or despondent youth to gain a healthy perspective of their problems; and
Whereas, In 1992, the musical group R.E.M. produced a song,
“Everybody Hurts,” to make others aware that everybody feels pain and
gets depressed, but that a person can get through the pain and depression
without resorting to suicide and
Whereas, R.E.M. used the medium of rock and roll music to reach out
to troubled teenagers worldwide in a positive and effective way with the
message “hold on”; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of Nevada, the Senate
Concurring, That the musical group R.E.M. is hereby commended for
addressing this issue directly and for effectively suggesting a different
perspective to persons who are contemplating suicide; and be it further
Resolved, That the residents of the State of Nevada take notice of the
alarming prevalence of teen suicide in the State of Nevada and do all they
can to help others hold on to life; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly prepare and transmit
a copy of this resolution to the musical group R.E.M.
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