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U.S.
Senator Member: Finance, Agriculture, Energy, Ethics and Aging Committees |
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For Immediate
Release Thursday, July 31, 2008 |
CONTACT:Michael Amodeo – 303-249-5286 |
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| Sen. Salazar Introduces Bill to Expand Paralympic Opportunities for Injured Service Members, Veterans
WASHINGTON, DC — With the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games approaching, United States Senator Ken Salazar today introduced legislation to expand athletic opportunities for injured service members and disabled veterans by establishing a new partnership between the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), which is headquartered in Colorado Springs. “The United States Olympic Committee Paralympic Program Act of 2008” would authorize the VA to provide up to $8 million a year in grants to the USOC to plan, develop, manage, and implement a Paralympic sports program for disabled veterans and injured active duty service members. In addition, the bill would establish the Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events within the VA to collaborate with the USOC on these projects and to provide assistance to veterans and service members who are selected for the United States Paralympic Team. “Over the coming weeks, as the Olympic and Paralympic games unfold, we will witness the power of sport to bring nations together, to promote fair and friendly competition, and to inspire us with great performances,” said Sen. Salazar. “Sport also has the power to rebuild lives, as we’ve seen so often through the Paralympic programs and events we host in Colorado, including at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Service members and veterans who are recovering from an injury or a disability should have broad access to these programs. This bill will help by establishing a strong partnership between the VA and the USOC and by providing additional opportunities for our veterans, particularly those who are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, to engage in Paralympic sports. I am proud that this bill has the support of the American Legion, the Paralyzed Veterans of America, Disabled Sports USA, and the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation, and look forward to working with my colleagues to pass it.” The 2008 Paralympic Games
will be held from September 6-17 in Beijing, China.
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