[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 47 (Wednesday, April 10, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S2566]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BOOZMAN (for himself and Mr. Begich):
  S. 695. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend the 
authorization of appropriations for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
to pay a monthly assistance allowance to disabled veterans training or 
competing for the Paralympic Team and the authorization of 
appropriations for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide 
assistance to United States Paralympics, Inc., and for other purposes; 
to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, physical activity offers injured members 
of the Armed Forces and veterans additional opportunities for 
rehabilitation for both physical and mental health. Using the expertise 
of the United States Olympic Committee to work with local programs is a 
great tool to help our veterans improve their quality of life. The U.S. 
Paralympic Integrated Adaptive Sports Program partners with local 
organizations to develop programs and skills that meet the needs of our 
wounded warriors. As a result of this legislation, the program has 
reached more than 5,000 participants in more than 150 communities in 46 
States and has successfully collaborated with 85 VA Medical Centers in 
39 States to provide adaptive sports programs to veterans in their 
local communities through outreach programs, training, practices, 
camps, clinics, and competitions. For this reason, Senator Begich and I 
are introducing Veterans Paralympic Act of 2013, which would extend the 
authorization for the U.S. Paralympic Integrated Adaptive Sports 
Program through 2018.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 695

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Paralympic Act of 
     2013''.

     SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR 
                   PAYMENT OF A MONTHLY ASSISTANCE ALLOWANCE TO 
                   DISABLED VETERANS TRAINING OR COMPETING FOR THE 
                   PARALYMPIC TEAM.

       Section 322(d)(4) of title 38, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``2013'' and inserting ``2018''.

     SEC. 3. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR 
                   ASSISTANCE TO UNITED STATES PARALYMPICS, INC.

       Section 521A of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (g), by striking ``2013'' and inserting 
     ``2018''; and
       (2) in subsection (l), by striking ``2013'' and inserting 
     ``2018''.
                                 ______