[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 49 (Thursday, April 8, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4061-S4062]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
EXPRESSION OF APPRECIATION FOR PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA
Mr. FRIST. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the
consideration of S. Res. 337, submitted by Senator Murkowski earlier
today.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 337) expressing the appreciation of
the Senate for the Paralyzed Veterans of America.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolution.
Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, today it is my distinct honor to rise
and submit a Senate resolution recognizing the Paralyzed Veterans of
America Awareness Week, which is April 11-17, 2004.
Many of my colleagues may not be aware what an outstanding civic-
minded organization the PVA is in our country. But first let me tell
you that these are not just ordinary citizens--they are veterans who
sacrificed for our Nation in ways we can never fully repay. The PVA is
composed of veterans of the Armed Forces who have spinal cord injuries.
They are veterans who honorably and nobly served their country and
continue to serve on a daily basis.
The PVA provides invaluable services to veterans' families and to our
own Department of Veterans Affairs--ensuring that civil rights and
access to viable transportation and affordable housing will always be
provided to those with spinal cord injuries. PVA does this so their
members may have the same opportunities as the rest of us--for whom
these brave members fought--that they may have the independence that we
all are blessed with in this country.
The PVA is a leader in medical and prosthetic research, funding two
research foundations that investigate a broad spectrum of neurological
sciences to seek a cure for spinal cord injury as well as breakthroughs
in rehabilitation to improve the quality of life of all Americans with
spinal cord injuries.
I would like to also remind my fellow Senators that the PVA is the
sponsor of the Nation's largest wheelchair sports programs, fostering a
wide range of sporting, and indoor, and outdoor recreational events to
encourage physical activity and comradeship so vital to the ongoing
rehabilitation of its members.
I encourage all of you, indeed all Americans, to take time next week
to thank those who have made such tremendous sacrifices in order for us
to enjoy the freedoms we now posses. And please take time from your day
and find out how you can help and volunteer with your local PVA
chapter.
Mr. FRIST. I ask consent that the resolution be agreed to, the
preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table
en bloc, and any statements related to the resolution be printed in the
Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 337) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Res. 337
Whereas for 58 years Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), a
veterans service organization chartered by Congress, has
served the needs of its members, veterans of the Armed Forces
who have experienced spinal cord injury or dysfunction;
Whereas Paralyzed Veterans of America, with 34 chapters and
6 subchapters, has a stated mission to be a leading advocate
for quality health care for its members through the health
care system of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the
Department network of Spinal Cord Injury Centers, and other
private and public health care providers;
Whereas Paralyzed Veterans of America, with 57 service
offices and a network of service officers, has helped its
members and hundreds of thousands of other veterans receive
[[Page S4062]]
the benefits and health care they have earned through service
in the Armed Forces;
Whereas Paralyzed Veterans of America is a leader in
medical and prosthetic research, funding two research
foundations that investigate a broad spectrum of neurological
science to seek a cure for spinal cord injury as well as
breakthroughs in rehabilitation to improve the quality of
life of all Americans with spinal cord injury or dysfunction;
Whereas Paralyzed Veterans of America is a leading advocate
within the veterans community in the Nation's capital, making
certain the needs of its members are recognized by Congress
and the Executive Branch of the Federal Government;
Whereas the Advocacy Program of Paralyzed Veterans of
America joins the disability community in seeking to ensure
civil rights and access to transportation, housing, and the
physical environment for individuals with disabilities in
order to maximize the independence of all Americans with
disabilities;
Whereas through its architecture programs, Paralyzed
Veterans of America is a leading force in barrier-free
design, serving as consultant in the public and private
sector to ensure a barrier-free physical environment for all
Americans with disabilities;
Whereas Paralyzed Veterans of America has one of the
Nation's largest wheelchair sports programs, fostering a wide
range of sporting, indoor, and outdoor recreational events to
encourage physical activity and comradeship so vital to the
ongoing rehabilitation of its members;
Whereas Paralyzed Veterans of America is designating the
week of April 11 through 17, 2004, as Paralyzed Veterans of
America Awareness Week in order to support a wide variety of
programs designated to highlight the services it provides
nationwide and promote recognition of the sacrifice its
members have made on behalf of a grateful Nation: Now
therefore be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) salutes Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) during
Paralyzed Veterans of America Awareness Week, the week of
April 11 through 17, 2004; and
(2) encourages all Americans to acknowledge and express
their appreciation for the past and on-going contributions of
Paralyzed Veterans of America to disabled veterans and to all
other Americans with disabilities.
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