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1 2 _____________________________ 3 Councilmember Zachary Parker 4 5 6 7 A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION 8 9 _________________________ 10 11 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 12 13 _________________________ 14 15 16 To recognize June as Men’s Health Month, the period from June 15-21, 2026, as Men’s 17 Health Week, and promote public awareness around men’s health issues. 18 19 WHEREAS, Men’s Health Month is part of an ongoing international effort to educate 20 men, boys, and their families about the importance of preventive health screenings, early 21 detection, and healthy lifestyles; 22 23 WHEREAS, Men’s Health Month began in 1994 with the Congressional passage of 24 Men’s Health Week, sponsored by Senator Robert Dole and Congressman William Richardson; 25 26 WHEREAS, the centerpiece of Men’s Health Month is Men’s Health Week, a special 27 awareness period passed by Congress and signed into law by President William Clinton on May 28 31, 1994; 29 30 WHEREAS, Men’s Health Week is observed annually through the efforts of the Men’s 31 Health Network to build empathy, recognition, and understanding of the unique health needs 32 facing men and boys; 33 34 WHEREAS, Men’s Health Week is recognized by Congress as June 15-21, 2026; 35 36 WHEREAS, thousands of organizations across the globe participate in Men’s Health 37 Month, promoting the health and wellness of men, boys, fathers, and their families; 38 39 WHEREAS, the Men’s Health Network sponsors health awareness fairs and events on 40 Capitol Hill that are attended by hundreds of lawmakers and staff; 41 42
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WHEREAS, nationwide, life expectancy for men averages six years fewer than women, 43 with men experiencing higher rates of health problems such as diabetes, obesity, cancer, heart 44 disease, and premature mortality; 45 46 WHEREAS, the growing epidemic of “Deaths of Despair,” which includes deaths related 47 to suicide, substance use disorders, alcohol misuse, and homelessness, underscores an urgent 48 need to raise awareness of unrecognized and undiagnosed depression, mental stress, and 49 emotional distress among boys and men; 50 51 WHEREAS, Men’s Health Month provides an opportunity to recognize the mental and 52 physical health needs of men and boys, while encouraging fathers and caregivers to serve as 53 positive role models through preventive care, healthy living, and help-seeking behaviors; and 54 55 WHEREAS, “Wear Blue Day” will be recognized on June 19, 2026, to support men’s 56 health awareness. 57 58 RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 59 resolution may be cited as the “Men’s Health Month Recognition Resolution of 2026”. 60 61 Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes the month of June as Men’s 62 Health Month, and June 15-21, 2026, as Men’s Health Week. 63 64 Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately. 65