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Washington, D.C. —Today, Congressmen Steve Buyer praised the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) to expand veterans’ rehabilitative sports programming in communities across the country.

Buyer, who serves as Ranking Member on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, introduced legislation in 2007 to bolster VA’s adaptive sports programs. The bill was later included as a provision in the Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 2008. The Act authorized today’s agreement between the VA and the U.S. Olympic Committee, which will provide $8 million in annual grant support to ensure that disabled veterans have access to sports therapy programs. Additionally, $2 million in direct support will be available for injured servicemembers seeking competitive sport opportunities.

“Today’s Paralympics programming agreement between VA and USOC will help provide one of the most valuable rehabilitative therapies we can provide our wounded warriors,” said Buyer. “I had the privilege of visiting the U.S. Olympic Committee training center in Chula Vista, California, and I saw first-hand how sports and the pursuit of excellence can inspire.”

“The Olympic ideal and these qualities of the heart and mind translated into other areas of life often lead to great success and accomplishments, and I am excited about this milestone in veterans’ rehabilitation.”

Last year, Buyer received the 2008 Paralyzed Veterans of America Public Service Award for his long-time advocacy of sports therapy as an alternative avenue of inspiration to help wounded warriors rehabilitate from their injuries. He was also instrumental in facilitating a partnership between VA and the U.S. Olympic Committee in 2005 to promote opportunities for disabled veterans to participate in adaptive sports programs.

“I have great faith in the power of sports to be a platform of inspiration and healing for the men and women who have sacrificed for our country,” said Buyer. “Increasing the availability of disabled sports programs is just one more resource to speed recovery and bring the positive attitudes and values I saw at the training center. I am sure we can do more, and I look forward to working toward new ways of improving the lives of disabled veterans through sports.”    

For more news from House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Republicans, please go to:  

http://www.republicans.veterans.house.gov/

http://www.youtube.com/user/VetAffairsRepublican

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