[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 161 (Monday, November 2, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H12162-H12163]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE CRUCIAL ROLE OF ASSISTANCE DOGS IN HELPING WOUNDED 
                                VETERANS

  Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (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.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 291

       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.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Minnesota (Mr. Walz) and the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Minnesota.
  Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 291, a resolution 
to recognize The Tower of Hope and the importance of assistance dogs. I 
truly believe the lives of our wounded veterans are enhanced by the 
role of assistance dogs that help them live more independently. The 
Tower of Hope has dedicated their time and effort to raise funds to 
train service dogs, advocate for the benefit of such valuable animals, 
and award grants to our wounded veterans.

                              {time}  1530

  The Tower of Hope is an organization that was founded by Ms. Cathy 
Carilli, whose husband, Tom Sinton, died in the 9/11 terrorist attack 
on the World Trade Center. As a tribute to the memory of her husband, 
The Tower of Hope was established and plays a major role in helping 
those seriously wounded in the war that almost immediately followed the 
9/11 terrorist attacks.
  Many servicemembers are coming home with serious injuries and 
currently have to wait up to 2 years before they can receive an 
assistance animal. Many cannot afford them or do not know about the 
benefits that assistance dogs provide. House Resolution 291 would help 
overcome these barriers by bringing more recognition to this 
organization that provides assistance dogs at no cost, educates the 
public about the benefits of such animals, and brings hope to our 
wounded heroes. It can cost up to $20,000 to train a service dog, and I 
recognize The Tower of Hope for providing these valuable animals at no 
cost to our wounded warriors. Their work is truly admirable.
  These costs are not covered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, 
but by national and local organizations and generous donors. I am 
confident that this resolution will help promote the benefits of 
assistance dogs and express support to all organizations, volunteers, 
and donors that make such programs possible.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge the support of House Resolution 291.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 291, a resolution 
recognizing the 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.
  Founded in 2006, The Tower of Hope is one of many organizations 
across the Nation providing and training assistance dogs to help 
individuals with disabilities. Assistance dogs not only provide a 
specific service to their handlers, but also greatly enhance their 
lives with a new sense of freedom and independence.
  Training an assistance dog is fairly expensive. An individual dog 
trained for placement can cost upwards of around $25,000 in care and 
training costs, and training takes around 18 months to complete.
  With so many veterans in need of this type of help, it is important 
for us to focus on this need and provide encouragement to organizations 
such as The Tower of Hope working toward helping these veterans. 
Individual citizens can check to see if there is an organization in 
their State providing training to assistance dogs and whether these 
dogs are being provided to servicemembers by checking the Assistance 
Dogs International North America Web site.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague, Mr. Hastings of 
Florida, for introducing this legislation and bringing to our attention 
the importance of these service dogs to our wounded warriors. I would 
also like to thank Chairman Filner and Ranking Member Buyer for moving 
the bill so quickly to the floor for consideration.
  I urge all my colleagues to support H. Res. 291.

[[Page H12163]]

  I yield back the balance of my time.


                             General Leave

  Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 
5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on House Resolution 291.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Minnesota?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. WALZ. I would also like to thank my colleagues who were involved 
in pushing this bill forward, with a special thank you to our colleague 
from Florida, Mr. Hastings, for his unwavering support of our veterans.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to unanimously support this 
resolution.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Walz) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 291.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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