[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 39 (Thursday, April 11, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S2573]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CELEBRATING OVER A HALF CENTURY OF SERVICE TO VETERANS
Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Madam President, I am pleased today to say a few
words about the Paralyzed Veterans of America, PVA to those of us who
work on veterans matters, in connection with the organization's PVA
Awareness Week, which takes place next week.
PVA began in February 1947, when delegates from seven groups of
paralyzed veterans from around the country met at the Hines VA Hospital
in Chicago, IL. Those veterans agreed to form a national organization
to address the needs of spinal cord injured veterans. They believed
that veterans with spinal cord injuries would have the strongest voice
in speaking for veterans with such injuries and for all who were
similarly disabled, a belief that has been borne out over the years.
The original members of PVA also emphasized the need both to conduct
research to find a cure for spinal cord injury while, at the same time,
providing for the basic, immediate needs of spinal cord injured
veterans.
Since its inception, PVA has dedicated itself to the well being of
some of America's most catastrophically disabled veterans as it has
developed a unique expertise on a wide variety of issues involving the
special needs of its members, veterans of the armed forces who have
experienced spinal cord injury, SCI, or dysfunction. PVA, which
received a Congressional charter as a veterans service organization in
1971, is a dynamic, broad-based organization with more than 40 chapters
and sub-chapters nationwide and nearly 20,000 members. In addition to
its Washington, D.C. headquarters, PVA operates 58 service offices
around the country to serve the needs of all veterans seeking
Department of Veterans Affairs' claims and benefits.
PVA is a leading advocate for quality health care not only for spinal
cord injured veterans, but for all other veterans as well. They also
continue to press for research and education addressing spinal cord
injury and dysfunction.
PVA's commitment to research can be seen in its sponsorship of the
Spinal Cord Research Foundation which supports research to alleviate,
and ultimately end, medical and functional consequences of paralysis;
its endowment in 1980 of a Professorship in SCI Medicine at Stanford
University; its creation of the Spinal Cord Injury Education and
Training Foundation to support innovative education and training
programs; and its role in establishing the PVA-EPVA Center for
Neuroscience and Regeneration Research at Yale University along with
the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association, the Department of Veterans
Affairs, and Yale University, with the goal of restoration of function
in people with spinal cord dysfunction.
PVA also coordinates the activities of two coalitions of
professional, payer, and consumer groups, the Consortium for Spinal
Cord Medicine and the Multiple Sclerosis Council, which develop
clinical practice guidelines defining standards of care for people with
spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis.
While PVA's Congressional charter requires it to devote substantial
resources to representing veterans in their claims for benefits from
VA, the PVA Veterans Benefits Department goes above and beyond the call
of duty, providing assistance and representation, without charge, to
veterans with a spinal cord dysfunction and other veterans seeking
health care and other benefits for which they are eligible. This
assistance is offered through a network of PVA national service
officers across the nation who assist veterans in making claims for
benefits and monitor medical care at local VA medical facilities. PVA's
national service officers assist claimants through every stage of the
VA claims process and also offer representation to veterans who have
claims pending before the Social Security Administration.
PVA's advocacy does not stop at the Board of Veterans' Appeals. It
has one of the most active presences at the U.S. Court of Appeals for
Veterans Claims and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit,
arguing cases that have set precedents that have helped thousands, if
not millions, of veterans and their families.
Other key PVA programs include its Architecture Program, which plays
an important role in the lives of severely disabled veterans with
quality design and construction of affordable and accessible housing;
its Health Analysis Program, which keeps a constant eye on the
performance of the VA health care system as well as other health care
systems in the public and private sector; and its Sports and Recreation
Program which is dedicated to promoting a range of activities for its
members and other people with disabilities, with special emphasis on
activities that enhance lifetime health and fitness, including through
co-sponsorship of the National Veterans Wheelchair Games with the
Department of Veterans Affairs.
For 16 years, PVA has co-authored an important, highly respected
policy guide for the Congress, The Independent Budget: A Comprehensive
Policy Document Created by Veterans for Veterans, with the Disabled
American Veterans, AMVETS, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars which
addresses the needs of veterans on issues ranging from health care to
benefits and the resources required to meet these needs in the VA
budget every year.
PVA's Government Relations staff is well-known here on Capitol Hill.
It's Advocacy Program is a leading voice for civil rights and
opportunities that maximize independence of individuals who have
experienced spinal cord injury or disease, or other severe
disabilities. PVA played an important role in the passage of the
Americans with Disabilities Act. It continues its advocacy as an active
member of the Consortium for Citizens With Disabilities. Its
Legislation Program staff is directly involved in every budget,
legislative, and policy initiative affecting veterans under
consideration in the Congress every year.
Over the years, I have relied heavily on PVA members in my State of
West Virginia to keep me informed about the issues so critical to
veterans with spinal cord injuries. I am particularly grateful for the
wisdom and counsel of my friend Randy Pleva, President of WV PVA and
one of PVA's National vice presidents. I do not know a more dedicated
and compassionate advocate for paralyzed veterans.
Those of us who work with PVA every day recognize the dedication and
expertise that this organization brings to Capitol Hill. The
organization is one of the top national veterans' service organizations
in terms of expertise and dedication. We must acknowledge the extreme
sacrifices that the members of their organization have made in service
to this country and honor the fact that PVA members continue that
service on behalf of veterans and all Americans with disabilities.
At a time when this country has soldiers deployed to far-off lands in
defense of freedom, it is important that we recognize these men and
women who have served this country in the past and continue to serve
our nations' veterans today. I look forward to a continuing partnership
with PVA to provide for the needs of veterans, past, present, and
future.
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