[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 27 (Friday, February 14, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E216-E217]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE DEDICATED SERVICE OF DOUG VOLLMER, ASSOCIATE EXECUTIVE 
    DIRECTOR FOR GOVERNMENT RELATIONS, PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 14, 2014

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, March 14 will mark the end of the 
long and distinguished career of Douglas K. Vollmer, Associate 
Executive Director for Government Relations, for Paralyzed Veterans of 
America (PVA). Doug has spent nearly 35 years overseeing the 
congressional relations activities of PVA. His uncompromising 
leadership has advanced the cause of America's paralyzed veterans. In 
addition, his work on disability civil rights for all Americans 
highlighted a career which reflected the mission of his organization to 
provide opportunities that maximize the independence of its members.
   Doug is a native of Toledo, Ohio. He attended Northwestern 
University and received his undergraduate degree in 1967. Upon 
graduation, Doug entered the U.S. Navy and was commissioned in May 
1968. Doug went on to serve with the River Patrol Forces and as a 
liaison officer with elements of the 5th Special Forces in the Republic 
of Vietnam from November 1968 to October 1969. He then spent 20 months 
serving on the staff of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence 
for the Pacific Fleet (CINCPACFLT). Following his service in the U.S. 
Navy, Doug received his Masters Degree from the University of Hawaii 
and pursued post-graduate studies at the University of Maryland.
   During his career at PVA, Doug has been involved with a broad range 
of issues affecting both the veterans' community and the larger 
community of people with disabilities. Since being named the PVA's 
Associate Executive Director for Government Relations in 1989, he has 
been involved in the passage of some of the most monumental legislation 
to be considered by the United States Congress including passage of the 
Americans with Disabilities Act and healthcare eligibility reform for 
the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). He was instrumental in the 
battle to make Washington's Metro system accessible to wheelchair 
users; the fight to ensure access to commercial aircraft for people 
with disabilities; efforts to ensure fair housing policy became a 
reality for those in need; and he always played a leadership role in 
defining the VA's budgetary needs for America's disabled veterans every 
year. Doug's involvement in legislative issues for

[[Page E217]]

veterans with spinal cord injury and dysfunction resulted in numerous 
advancements in the areas of health care, benefits, and vocational 
rehabilitation. His unwavering commitment to assist both service 
connected and non-service connected PVA members was the hallmark of 
Doug's service to the PVA, and it reflected his belief that ``a veteran 
is a veteran.'' As a result, thousands of veterans--disabled and non-
disabled--and their families benefited from his work.
   Since he began working for PVA, he has seen the VA grow from a 
regular federal agency to a cabinet-level department which enabled his 
advocacy for veterans to be recognized at the highest level of 
government. His close relationships with other leaders in the veterans 
and disability communities have been well established over the years 
and he has been a highly valued resource for policy makers at the 
executive level across the government and non-profit world.
   His long career of dedicated service is truly worthy of praise. As 
an executive at PVA, he created an environment for his subordinates 
that encouraged creative thinking, individualism, and productive team 
work. As the longest serving staff member at PVA, Doug has been the 
anchor for 15 PVA Presidents. He wrote hundreds of congressional 
testimonies and represented the organization at the White House, on 
Capitol Hill, and across the country. Notably, it was Doug who mentored 
his late friend Gordon Mansfield as PVA's Executive Director. Gordon 
went on to become the Deputy Secretary and Acting Secretary of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, following service as the Assistant 
Secretary for Congressional and Legislative Affairs, as well as the 
Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at the 
Department of Housing and Urban Development. Doug's impact on 
veterans--particularly those who have experienced spinal cord injury or 
disorder--and their families cannot truly be measured.
   Doug and Scottie, his wife of nearly 44 years, live in Washington, 
DC. They have one son, Zachary, who also lives and works in Washington, 
DC.
   The legacy that he leaves can be seen in the vast advancements in 
medical care provided by the VA and the fact that the United States is 
the world leader in access for all people with disabilities. Doug 
Vollmer has lived a life that truly has made a difference. For that, we 
are sincerely grateful.