LULAC CELEBRATES THE ROLLOUT OF THE BRANDON ACT BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Nation's Oldest and Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization Urges All Military Service Branches to Implement the Law

Washington, DC - The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is thrilled to announce and celebrate the official rollout of the Brandon Act by the U.S. Department of Defense. This landmark legislation, signed into law by President Biden in January 2022 with bipartisan support from Congress, marks a significant step forward in prioritizing the mental health and well-being of our brave servicemen and women.

"This is a great day for the Casertas, and LULAC extends our heartfelt congratulations to them for achieving an important first phase of their mission," expressed Domingo Garcia, President of LULAC. "We thank Gilbert R. Cisneros Jr., undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness. Our nation's defense readiness hinges on our military's physical and mental well-being. Implementing the Brandon Act will go a long way in supporting that."

The Brandon Act empowers military personnel in a mental crisis to seek medical assistance without prior approval from their command. Furthermore, this legislation ensures that service members will no longer have to fear retaliation for seeking help, eliminating one of the significant barriers that prevent individuals from reaching out for necessary support. We owe a debt of gratitude to Brandon Caserta, a courageous young man who paid the ultimate price, and his parents, Patrick, and Teri Caserta, for their unwavering dedication to turning tragedy into triumph.

Brandon Caserta, Petty Officer 3rd Class assigned to the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28 in Norfolk, Virginia, tragically lost his life to suicide in June 2018. Despite enduring chronic bullying, harassment, and assaults ignored by toxic commands, Brandon's legacy lives on through the Brandon Act. His parents, Patrick, and Teri Caserta committed themselves to fulfilling Brandon's final message and embarked on a four-year campaign, tirelessly lobbying members of Congress to garner support for this critical legislation.

From Patrick and Teri Caserta, came these words today after the signing ceremony. “We are sitting at the Pentagon, September 11 memorial. It's been a long journey and we are happy that the Department of Defense signed The Brandon Act and that they are going to start the implementation. When Brandon died, he tasked us with helping service members get the help that they need, and we accomplished this. We know that Brandon is smiling down on us and his legacy will forever be saving military lives.”

"LULAC now urges all military branches to collaborate with LULAC and the Brandon Caserta Foundation in fully implementing the Brandon Act, starting with the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) through active service," says Roman Palomares, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Chair. "We believe that by working together, we can ensure that every service member receives the mental health support they deserve," he adds.

In addition to our commitment to the Brandon Act, LULAC remains steadfast in championing the needs of our veterans. We will continue to honor their loyal service in defense of our nation and strive to provide them with the resources and support necessary to thrive beyond their military service.

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About LULAC
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.LULAC.org.