[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Pages 6596-6597]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       NATIONAL VA RESEARCH WEEK

  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I would like to recognize the 
accomplishments and discoveries of investigators and scientists at the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, VA, who have brought about critical 
advances in health care delivery and medical knowledge through 
innovative medical research. These researchers and the veterans that 
make it all possible will be honored this week by National VA Research 
Week, which celebrates the historic success of VA research 
collaborations through this year's theme of ``Discovery and 
Collaboration for Exceptional Health Care.'' I would like to share some 
of the amazing breakthroughs that have resulted from VA research and 
that have advanced the quality of health care for all Americans.
  At the conclusion of World War I, it was clear that servicemembers 
returning from a new type of warfare needed innovative medical 
treatment. VA research began conducting hospital-based medical studies 
in 1925 and since then has continued to publish significant research 
studies on a regular basis. While VA research studies have changed 
dramatically over the years to reflect the needs of veterans of each 
conflict, the goal of providing quality care has remained paramount.
  This commitment to quality care has led to a litany of medical 
breakthroughs and discoveries that are respected and have been utilized 
around the world. Without the tireless efforts of VA researchers, the 
medical community would not have lifesaving tools such as the pacemaker 
and the heart stint. Without the breakthroughs of VA research, the 
world may never have seen a successful liver transplant, a safer cure 
for tuberculosis, or genetic mapping that may one day lead to the 
eradication of Alzheimer's disease. The many successes of VA research 
continue today as ongoing projects close in on a possible cure for 
cancer, create new pharmaceutical solutions for serious mental illness, 
and build new prosthetics and assistive devices that make a return to 
normal life possible for our wounded warriors.
  VA research holds the promise to improve treatment and rehabilitation 
for our Nation's veterans. From developing new prosthetics to 
understanding and treating traumatic brain injuries, veterans can be 
certain that VA medical staff will always be prepared to best heal 
their wounds. Wounds, both visible and invisible, must receive the best 
care and treatment possible, and I am proud that VA is leading the way 
on new treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD.

[[Page 6597]]

  VA breakthroughs in the treatment of PTSD have not only helped 
thousands of veterans but have served as an example for both the 
American and international mental health community. Most recently, VA 
has been a resource for the people of Japan while they grapple with the 
mental wounds of the tragic earthquake and tsunami that so violently 
shook that country earlier this year. Today, while the first responders 
and the resilient people of Alabama and the areas affected by recent 
tornado destruction begin physically rebuilding their homes and 
communities, they can rely on the Psychological First Aid Field 
Operations Guide to provide tips on how to begin the healing process.
  Medical and scientific advances from VA research have often come 
through collaboration. VA has the privilege of relying on one of our 
Nation's greatest assets, the men and women who serve. These veterans 
understand that oftentimes, their participation in VA Research may not 
directly benefit their lives. Instead, they continue to serve their 
fellow Americans by trying to ensure better quality care for those who 
return from armed conflicts in the future. By partnering with 1 million 
veterans, VA is launching the Million Veteran Project, an effort to 
learn more about how genetics affect health.
  VA also has the ability to partner with some of the best medical 
research institutions through their relationship with the Association 
of American Medical Colleges. This year's theme marks the 65th 
anniversary of an agreement which allowed VA to join with medical 
schools and create innovative partnerships directly impacting the 
quality of care. This partnership is a significant reason for VA 
research being so successful at finding innovative solutions to health 
care problems. Because of this collaboration, VA scientists and 
researchers have access to both VA medical centers and various 
university medical centers to conduct their research. This partnership 
brings together the brightest minds of our medical and scientific 
communities and yields positive results for our veterans.
  I am proud to have been a long-time, ardent supporter of VA research. 
I know that VA's world-class researchers could easily work elsewhere, 
but they continue to work with the Department in fulfilling its 
obligations to constantly improve the quality of care for our veterans. 
At a time when more and more veterans are coming home from war and 
relying on VA for their health care needs, we here in Congress must 
make sure we can lead the way with a strong investment in our veterans 
and the high quality care we are committed to providing them.

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