[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 217 (Sunday, December 20, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1187]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING BOB HANDY FOR HIS PUBLIC SERVICE

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                         HON. SALUD O. CARBAJAL

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Sunday, December 20, 2020

  Mr. CARBAJAL. Madam Speaker, today, l celebrate the service of one of 
my constituents and good friend, Robert ``Bob'' Handy, who is a staunch 
advocate for veterans and had a prodigious 22-year career in the U.S. 
Navy as a Medical Corpsman.
  Bob is the founder and Chairman of Veterans United for Truth, Inc. 
(VUFT), a veterans' support non-profit that played a critical role in 
addressing the Veterans Administration's (VA) mishandling or veterans' 
medical services, particularly of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) 
cases, and restrictive policies within the VA that prevented veterans 
with PTSD from appealing negative findings in their cases.
  Bob led VUFT as the principal plaintiff in VCS et al. v. Nicholson et 
al., a 2007 class action lawsuit that challenged the federal 
government's compliance with the First and Fifth Amendments to the 
United States Constitution, and with section 504 of the Rehabilitation 
Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. 794, as it related to veterans' PTSD cases.
  While the suit was initially successful in the 9th Circuit Court of 
Appeals, after being referred there by a District Court, a subsequent 
revised finding by a full panel of the court rejected it. The case was 
supported by millions of dollars of pro bona legal support and lasted 
into 2009.
  Bob Handy's tireless pursuit of this case in the public realm brought 
new attention to the serious health issue of PTSD. His work resulted in 
important changes to the VA's approach on this issue.
  I am honored to celebrate Bob Handy's distinguished service, 
exemplary advocacy, leadership, and commitment on behalf of veterans.

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