[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 291 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 291

  Recognizing the crucial role of assistance dogs in helping wounded 
veterans live more independent lives, expressing gratitude to The Tower 
  of Hope, and supporting the goals and ideals of creating a Tower of 
                               Hope Day.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 26, 2009

  Mr. Hastings of Florida (for himself, Mrs. Maloney, Mr. Wexler, Ms. 
  Woolsey, Ms. Corrine Brown of Florida, Mr. Kissell, Mr. Hall of New 
York, Mr. Rodriguez, Ms. Kilpatrick of Michigan, and Mr. Brown of South 
Carolina) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                     Committee on Veterans' Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Recognizing the crucial role of assistance dogs in helping wounded 
veterans live more independent lives, expressing gratitude to The Tower 
  of Hope, and supporting the goals and ideals of creating a Tower of 
                               Hope Day.

Whereas the brave men and women defending America's democracy in Iraq and 
        Afghanistan are in harms way;
Whereas thousands of America's returning veterans were seriously wounded in 
        combat, including brain injuries, single and double amputations, and 
        other traumatic wounds;
Whereas these brave soldiers return to the United States and spend weeks, 
        months, and years in hospitals recovering, and return to their homes 
        needing assistance to regain their independence;
Whereas these recovering soldiers who are teamed up with assistance dogs lead 
        more comfortable and more independent lives;
Whereas these dogs provide assistance to wounded veterans while walking, going 
        up and down stairs, and getting up from a sitting or fallen position, 
        and also pick up dropped articles, retrieve items from a distance, pull 
        manual wheelchairs a short distance, turn lights on and off, and perform 
        other important daily tasks;
Whereas assistance animals offer priceless companionship and unconditional love 
        on a daily basis;
Whereas there are fewer than 75 veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan who currently 
        have assistance dogs because they either cannot afford them or do not 
        know about the benefits that assistance dogs provide;
Whereas severely wounded veterans currently have to wait up to two years before 
        they can receive an assistance animal;
Whereas The Tower of Hope was created following the attacks of September 11, 
        2001, to bring hope to wounded veterans by providing them with 
        assistance dogs at no cost; and
Whereas The Tower of Hope has substantially improved many lives by raising funds 
        for the training of assistance dogs, providing grants for American 
        combat wounded veterans, and advocating for the benefits of these 
        animals: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) acknowledges the importance of assistance dogs in 
        helping combat-wounded veterans live happier and more 
        independent lives;
            (2) applauds the outstanding work of The Tower of Hope and 
        its dedication to training and providing assistance dogs to 
        wounded veterans, as well as educating people about the 
        benefits of such animals;
            (3) expresses deep gratitude and support to volunteers and 
        donors who have made this great program possible by generously 
        offering time and funds;
            (4) encourages the general public to support wounded 
        veterans by volunteering or donating to help train assistance 
        dogs;
            (5) calls for a vigorous promotion of, and advocacy for, 
        the benefits of assistance animals for physicians and the 
        general public; and
            (6) supports the goals and ideals of creating a Tower of 
        Hope Day in honor of wounded American veterans and their 
        service dogs, the work of The Tower of Hope, and the many 
        generous donors.
                                 <all>