Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Filner-Langevin Amendment to provide full funding to the United States Olympic Committee’s Paralympic Veterans Program. 

I would like to thank Chairman Edwards for his work to support our service men and women through increased funding levels in the underlying bill and Chairman Filner for his continued advocacy for our disabled veterans. 
The USOC Paralympic program provides a unique opportunity for personal recovery and achievement for our wounded service members who return from combat with serious and life-changing injuries. 

Daily physical activity is often the most critical mental and physical aspect of the rehabilitation process.  It reduces stress, depression and secondary medical conditions while increasing self-esteem, employment rates and quality of life.

Full funding of the U. S. Paralympic Adaptive Sports Program will expedite the expansion of services and programs to injured veterans. 

The USOC has created Paralympic programs in 99 communities, providing access to physical activity and sports opportunities, regardless of skill level, for over five thousand injured service members and veterans. 

Paralympic, community and veteran organizations are partnering with the USOC to invest more than forty million dollars in private resources annually to develop programs, provide Paralympic mentors and expand to 250 U.S. communities, serving over 8,000 injured service members, by 2012.

After all our service members have sacrificed for our country, we have an obligation to provide services and opportunities for them when they return home. 

The Paralympics program has already touched thousands of lives, and with additional resources it can help countless more veterans regain both physical strength and self-esteem.  I ask you to help it grow by supporting the Filner-Langevin Amendment.