I appreciate the opportunity to speak on H.R. 4255, the United States Olympic Committee Paralympics Program Act of 2007, which I introduced earlier this Congress.

For many service members and veterans who have been severely-injured from service to our country, their rehabilitation can be a disheartening experience. Many become concerned about having the same quality of life that they had prior to their injuries.

Programs administered by the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) Paralympic Military Program can enhance and improve the quality of life for these men and women by introducing them to an active lifestyle while they heal from their wounds.

Today, the USOC programs have been providing support for severely injured military service members and veterans since 2003, introducing them to adaptive sport techniques. These opportunities will enable our veterans to face their new physical realities and to continue living an active lifestyle through adaptive sports.

We know that there is a growing population of veterans that have survived serious injuries that would benefit from the good work being done by the USOC. This is why I have introduced H.R. 4255, the United States Olympic Committee Paralympic Program Act of 2007, to support our heroic men and women as they transition through this difficult phase in their lives.

H.R. 4255, will authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make a grant to the USOC to provide: paralympic instruction, competition activities, and training program development activities for service members and veterans with physical disabilities.

The purpose of the program in my bill is to enhance the rehabilitation and quality of life of current severely injured service members and veterans and to reduce the chance of secondary medical conditions. 

To date, more than 1,200 injured veterans have been introduced to paralympic sports as a result of these training programs, but much more needs to be done in order to continue to provide this dynamic rehabilitative environment.

I ask all my colleagues to join me in supporting my bill H.R. 4255 and our nation’s severely injured veterans.