[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 63 (Tuesday, April 28, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S4828]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 115--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

  Mr. LIEBERMAN submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs:

                              S. Res. 115

       Whereas the brave men and women defending America's 
     democracy in Iraq and Afghanistan are in harm's 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, as many 
     veterans cannot afford them or do not know about the benefits 
     that assistance dogs provide;
       Whereas severely wounded veterans currently have to wait up 
     to 2 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 Senate--
       (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 to 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.

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