VA Expiring Authorities Extension Act of 2013

Floor Speech

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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Maine, the ranking member, for yielding me this time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support the Veterans Paralympic Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation that would extend the funding for adaptive sport programs for disabled veterans.

Through the Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Olympic Committee, this joint program has provided sports and other athletic activities that help speed up the rehabilitation process for our Nation's heroes. By extending the funding through 2018, and improving access to adaptive sports programs, this legislation would provide the greatest opportunity for rehabilitation through sports our veterans have ever had. The sacrifice of these heroes is immeasurable, and I believe that Congress should be doing all it can to help their rehabilitation process.

I thank the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Coffman) for introducing this bill, and I look forward to its passage.

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