[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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