WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), co-chair of the Senate Military Family Caucus, is lauding the Obama Administration's decision to begin sending presidential letters of condolence to families of American troops who die by suicide, reversing a long-standing policy.

On May 25, Sen. Boxer led a bipartisan group of Senate colleagues in sending a letter to President Obama calling for the policy change.

“I am pleased that President Obama has reversed this long-standing policy and will begin sending presidential condolence letters to the families of our troops who die by suicide,” Boxer said. “This will honor the sacrifice of our nation’s service men and women and their families and do a great deal to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health treatment that prevents so many from seeking the care they need.”