Providing For Consideration Of Conference Report On H.R. 2647, National Defense Authorization Act For Fiscal Year 2010
Floor Speech
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Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Thank you to the gentle lady from New York. I rise today to strongly support the rule and the underlying bill, the conference report on the National Defense Authorization Act. I'm grateful to Chairwoman Slaughter for the time to speak, and Chairman Skelton and the ranking member for crafting a bill that protects our national security in a fiscally responsible way.
This morning, I would like to focus on section 1077, which allows the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide veterans with service dogs that can facilitate treatment of their physical and mental disabilities.
I first introduced the bipartisan Wounded Warrior K-9 Corps Act in July, and I'm proud to have worked out this language in this bill to help keep America's promise to our disabled veterans. The men and women who have served this country and are injured deserve our full and complete support when they return home, and that means doing everything we can to improve their quality of life after their service.
I have seen these programs where they provide service dogs in action. I have witnessed the growth of disabled veterans after working with a guide dog or an animal that can assist them with physical therapy, their mental health, and even their job. These programs succeed, and they're another important way we can strongly stand behind our veterans and their families.
I'd like to thank Senator Al Franken of Minnesota and Ed Whitfield of Kentucky, who were my indispensable partners in this bipartisan effort. I'd like to also acknowledge David Kildee of the House Armed Services Committee staff, and the Armed Services Committee staff, whose assistance proved crucial in this effort.
Finally, this effort would not be possible without Irwin Stovroff, former World War II POW and someone who's a personal friend and my constituent. He is a guardian angel to many disabled veterans and wounded warriors who depend on him for their service dogs and their quality of life.
I urge my colleagues to support this measure, the conference report, and the rule.
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