[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 44 (Monday, March 22, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H2182-H2183]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING THE 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BLINDED VETERANS ASSOCIATION
Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
joint resolution (H.J. Res. 80) recognizing and honoring the Blinded
Veterans Association on its 65th anniversary of representing blinded
veterans and their families.
The Clerk read the title of the joint resolution.
The text of the joint resolution is as follows:
H.J. Res. 80
Whereas, at 8:45 a.m. on March 28, 1945, 100 blinded
members of the Armed Forces who served in World War II formed
the Blinded Veterans Association at Avon ``Old Farms'' Army
Convalescent Hospital in Connecticut;
Whereas the founders of the Blinded Veterans Association
were a cross-section of heroes and pioneers who not only
shaped the rich history, philosophy, and knowledge of
education and rehabilitation of the blind, but also provided
insight into current and future challenges facing the blind
and engaged in continual advocacy efforts to ensure that
services for all blinded persons would be unique and
specialized;
Whereas, on March 28, 2010, the Blinded Veterans
Association will mark its 65th anniversary of dedication to
blinded members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their
families;
Whereas in 1946, General Omar Bradley, of the Veterans
Administration, appointed the Blinded Veterans Association as
the first official representative for blinded veterans for
the filing of claims and appeals to the Veterans
Administration, making the Blinded Veterans Association only
the eighth veterans service organization to receive such
authorization;
Whereas the Blinded Veterans Association was originally
incorporated in New York State as a nonprofit association,
and then moved to Washington, DC, in 1947;
Whereas in 1958, the 58th Congress approved the
Congressional Charter for the Blinded Veterans Association;
Whereas from its early beginnings, the Blinded Veterans
Association encouraged the blinded veterans it served ``to
take their rightful place in the community with their fellow
men and work with them toward the creation of a peaceful
world'', and it has continued to advocate for the war-blinded
to regain independence, confidence, and self-esteem through
rehabilitation and training; and
Whereas many people of the United States recognize March 28
of each year as Blinded Veterans Day: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, That
Congress--
(1) expresses appreciation for the efforts of the Blinded
Veterans Association in improving the rehabilitation
services, education, and benefits for blinded veterans of the
United States;
(2) supports the goals and ideals of Blinded Veterans Day;
and
(3) calls upon the people of the United States to observe
Blinded Veterans Day with appropriate programs and
activities.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Filner) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may
consume.
I rise in support of House Joint Resolution 80, recognizing and
honoring the Blinded Veterans Association on its 65th anniversary of
representing blinded veterans and their families, sponsored by Mrs.
Halvorson of Illinois. Mrs. Halvorson, as a first-term Member, has been
incredibly active and committed to veterans on our committee.
I yield to the gentlewoman from Illinois to further explain the bill.
Mrs. HALVORSON. I thank Chairman Filner for yielding.
Madam Speaker, it was truly a privilege to introduce H.J. Res. 80,
which recognizes and honors the Blinded Veterans Association on its
65th anniversary. Madam Speaker, this simple resolution helps to honor
the service and sacrifice of the more than 165,000 blind or visually
impaired veterans.
The resolution helps us to remember that on March 28, 1945, 100
blinded members of the Armed Forces who served in World War II formed
the Blinded Veterans Association in order to help veterans and their
families meet and overcome the challenges of blindness. The following
year, in 1946, General Omar Bradley of the Veterans Administration,
appointed the BVA as the first official representative for blinded
veterans for the filing of claims and appeals to the Veterans
Administration. This made the Blinded Veterans Association only the
eighth Veterans Service Organization to receive such distinction and
responsibility.
In 1958, Congress followed General Bradley's lead and echoed his
recognition of the BVA by officially approving the BVA congressional
charter. Since that time, the BVA has encouraged and assisted blinded
veterans to take their rightful place in the community with their
fellow men and work with them towards the creation of a peaceful world.
{time} 1445
Their leadership continues to advocate for the war-blinded to regain
independence, confidence and self-esteem through rehabilitation and
training. Almost 13 percent of the evacuated wounded servicemembers in
Iraq and Afghanistan have suffered a serious eye injury of one type or
another. This means that the Blinded Veterans Association's services
are just as crucial today as they were 65 years ago.
H.J. Res. 80 recognizes the extraordinary members and work of the
BVA, and the good that they do for America's visually impaired
veterans. I thank the members of the BVA for their service and strongly
encourage my colleagues to do the same by voting in favor of this
resolution.
Mr. FILNER. I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. STEARNS. Madam Speaker, not only does the BVA provide support for
our Nation's blind veterans, the organization also provides inspiration
and support for their family members via the Kathern F. Gruber
Scholarship Awards. This worthy scholarship enables spouses and
dependent children of blinded veterans to achieve their goals in higher
education.
Our blinded veterans have made tremendous sacrifices on behalf of our
Nation to ensure our safety and our freedom. It is altogether
appropriate that we honor them this day and join the Blinded Veterans
Association in celebrating its 65th anniversary.
Obviously I am a strong supporter of H.J. Res. 80, a resolution to
recognize and honor the Blinded Veterans Association on its 65th
anniversary of representing blinded veterans and their families. As all
of us know, recovering from the tragic loss of sight is a traumatic and
life-changing event. Veterans who are burdened with this loss are
forced to relearn almost every task associated with normal daily
activities. Such rehabilitation is a difficult but necessary challenge
blinded veterans must overcome to integrate back into civilian life.
The Blinded Veterans Association was established specifically to help
these severely injured veterans and their families during this most
difficult period.
On March 28, 1945, 100 blinded members of the Armed Forces who served
in World War II formed the Blinded Veterans Association. Just a year
later, in 1946, General Bradley of the Veterans Administration
appointed the BVA as the first official representative for blinded
veterans who were filing claims and appeals to the Veterans
Administration. This made the Blinded Veterans Association the eighth
veterans service organization to receive such authorization.
Chartered by Congress in 1958, the BVA has worked throughout the
years assisting blind veterans in acquiring Department of Veterans
Affairs disability compensation and health care benefits, as well as
other Federal and local benefits. Thanks in large part to the efforts
of the BVA, there are now ten blindness rehabilitation centers located
at various VA medical centers across this country.
Madam Speaker, along with this legislation, which obviously you can
see how important it is, we wanted to honor today these blinded
veterans on their 65th anniversary. But, Madam Speaker, our committee
also had requested consideration of H.R. 4360, a bill to designate the
blind rehabilitation center in Long Beach, California, as the Major
Charles R. Soltes, Jr., O.D. Department of Veterans Affairs Blind
Rehabilitation Center. This legislation has the support of the entire
California delegation and the major veterans service organizations in
California and would further honor blind veterans to whom Major Soltes
provided so much service and so much sacrifice.
I would like to inquire, if it is appropriate to the Speaker, or
perhaps
[[Page H2183]]
Chairman Filner, if they could explain why this very important bill was
not permitted consideration on the floor today?
Mr. FILNER. Would the gentleman yield?
Mr. STEARNS. I yield.
Mr. FILNER. As the gentleman knows, we included that bill on a list
of seven bills that we asked to be taken up on the floor, and we were
scheduled for six of them. That is as far as I know.
Mr. STEARNS. I understand he is saying that it wasn't put in the loop
at the moment, it wasn't put on the schedule, but I think you are also
saying that this is the type of bill that you support and you believe
should be part of a vote on the floor. Can I assume you support this
bill?
Mr. FILNER. If the gentleman would continue to yield, I was one of
the Californians who signed the original petition, and I support the
bill. We are as mystified as you are.
Mr. STEARNS. Well, Madam Speaker, I think it is unfortunate that this
bill to honor an individual who did so much for our blind veterans
community and paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to his country,
this particular bill is not being considered this afternoon. Many of us
are disappointed, and we will work with Ranking Member Buyer and
Chairman Filner, since he is a signee on the unanimous delegation
letter, to have it brought to the floor at the earliest opportunity.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
General Leave
Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on the joint resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of
H.J. Res 80, ``Recognizing and Honoring the blinded veterans
association on its 65th anniversary of representing blinded veterans
and their families,'' a bill sponsored by my colleague from Illinois,
Congresswoman Halvorson.
H.J. Res. 80 will honor those who have sacrificed greatly for this
nation and have lost their eyesight in the process. These veterans have
given great contributions and made incredible personal sacrifices so
that all of us in this country might live in a safe and secure nation
and world. When we pay tribute to the service of our brave veterans, we
acknowledge the great debt that this Nation owes them.
Because I realize that our veterans deserve our very best, I
introduced H.R. 1240, the Vision Impairment Specialist Training Act
(VISTA), passed into law as part of larger bill. The provisions of
VISTA help our nation's blind and low-vision veterans by establishing a
scholarship program for students seeking training in blind
rehabilitation. There are more than 160,000 legally blind veterans in
the United States, but approximately 35,000 are currently enrolled in
Veterans Health Administration. Members of the armed forces are
important to our nation and we show them our appreciation by taking
care of them when they no longer can serve.
Caring for our veterans also means giving them our time. I have had
the honor of visiting with some of our wounded soldiers at Walter Reed
Army Hospital in Washington, D.C. Many of these soldiers were
recovering from some of the most horrific wounds imaginable. But what
made the most indelible impression on me was that to a man and woman,
there was no self-pity or anger at their fate. Instead of anger or
sorrow there was only concern for their fellow soldiers and pride in
the certain knowledge that they had fought valiantly on behalf of a
country they loved. There is no reason that any of our veterans should
not receive the highest care from all of us in this country. I hope all
Americans take the time to visit their local VA hospital and thank the
wounded for their service to our country.'' We must do everything
possible to let our veterans know how much we value their service.
We all know that no one has paid a higher price than the brave men
and women through the years who gave the last full measure of devotion
to their country. Whether it is the ultimate sacrifice of life or the
loss of limb or the loss of time with family and friends, we owe our
veterans an enormous outstanding debt of gratitude. So, let us
celebrate and recognize our blinded veterans during the 65th
anniversary of the Blinded Veterans Association.
It is out of my profound respect and gratitude for all who wear and
have worn the uniform of the United States that I continue to work so
hard to pass legislation that will ensure that veterans receive the
health care, job opportunities, housing assistance, and educational
benefits they deserve. Caring for our veterans also means giving them
our support when they need it.
Madam Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support H.J. 80.
Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues' unanimous support,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the joint resolution, H.J. Res. 80.
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. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not
present.
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.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
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