U.S. Congressman Steve Buyer | Proudly Serving Hoosiers in Indiana's 4th District

Feel Free To Share This Page Slashdot Del.icio.us Google Digg Reddit Newsvine Furl Yahoo Facebook

Washington, Oct 21 -

Washington, D.C. —Congressman Steve Buyer (IN-04), in continuing his leadership of sports therapy as a platform for rehabilitation, attended the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) and the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) on Wednesday.  This declaration synchronizes the VA and the U.S. Olympic Committee, promoting opportunities for disabled veterans and bringing rehabilitative sports programming to families and communities across the country.

Congressman Buyer, Ranking Member on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, recognizes the value sports can hold for chair-bound veterans and for all Americans living with spinal cord-related disabilities.  In 2007, the Ranking Member introduced legislation to bolster VA’s adaptive sports programs to help those challenged by disabilities.  The bill was later included as a provision in the Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 2008. This legislation authorized today’s agreement between the VA and the USOC, providing $8 million in annual grant support to ensure that disabled veterans have access to sport therapy programs. Additionally, $2 million in direct support will be available for injured servicemembers seeking competitive sport opportunities. 

“Collaboration between the VA, USOC, Paralympics and Veteran organizations is critical to ensure injured Veterans have the opportunity to participate in physical activity at the community level. Congressmen Buyer has been an outstanding leader in ensuring that this happens, and that resources are available to meet the need,” stated Charlie Hueber, Chief of Paralympics, U.S. Olympic Committee.

The Congressman’s long-time advocacy of sports therapy brought the VA and the USOC together to allow disabled veterans to compete in the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing.  Without Congressman Buyer’s efforts, the 13 veterans that competed in Beijing in September of 2008 would not have had that opportunity.

“Years ago I had the privilege of visiting the U.S. Olympic Committee training center in Chula Vista, California; I saw first-hand how athletes sacrifice for the Olympic ideal.  After helping reorganize the U.S. Olympic Committee, I brought together the USOC and the VA to create an avenue for disabled military athletes to compete in the 2008 Beijing Paralympics games.  So this is a very exciting day for me to stand, as I witness, the signing agreement between the VA and USOC.  The synchronization of these two organizations will help provide one of the most valuable rehabilitative therapies we can to our wounded warriors,” praised Buyer. “The 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 veteran rehabilitation.”

In September 2008, the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) awarded Congressman Buyer with the Paralyzed Veterans of America Public Service Award for his long-time advocacy of sports therapy as an alternative avenue of inspiration helping wounded warriors rehabilitate from their injuries.  In 2005, the Congressman was also instrumental in facilitating a partnership between VA and the U.S. Olympic Committee—promoting 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.”  
###