[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 5, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H776]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HELPING VETERANS WITH TRAINED SERVICE DOGS

  (Mr. CUNNINGHAM asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Madam Speaker, for far too long, we have failed to 
serve veterans struggling with the invisible wounds of war, veterans 
who nearly gave everything to us.
  From veterans who served in Vietnam and Korea to those who have 
recently returned home from Afghanistan and Iraq, Congress has done too 
little to curb the often-devastating effect post-traumatic stress can 
have in the lives of the brave men and women who served our Nation in 
combat.
  That is why I am proud today to rise in support of my colleague 
Representative   Steve Stivers' bipartisan bill, which will help 
veterans in the Lowcountry and across this Nation manage the symptoms 
of post-traumatic stress by pairing them with trained service dogs.
  With the help of a service dog, many veterans with severe post-
traumatic stress are able to return to work, attend college, and spend 
more meaningful time with their families and their loved ones. The 
brave men and women who voluntarily raised their right hands and swore 
an oath to defend our Nation deserve nothing less than the opportunity 
to succeed when they return home.
  The PAWS Act is a critical step in the right direction. I urge all of 
my colleagues to join me in supporting this bipartisan legislation.

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