of Veterans Affairs is a main provider of services to disabled veterans and is the recognized leader in service to those with spinal cord injury. This should provide another avenue for the VA in their dedicated effort to provide for their customers, the veterans. I know from the time I spent in the hospital, which was the better part of 1984, having a program such as this would add a welcome dimension to the VA's ongoing efforts to help those who have suffered a catastrophic injury return to a full life, or the closest they can come to it. The program at Quantico has clearly shown the advantages of including volunteers, veterans organizations and sporting organizations in the program and is clearly in step with the Nation's tradition of volunteerism. My friend Lt. Col. Lew Deal, Executive Officer of Weapons Training Battalion, Quantico who is here today, has in his volunteer capacity been one of the prime leaders in this program. Since the summer of 1994, wheelchair accessible stands have been built and placed in the woods of Quantico. Terry Labar, another former Marine who works at the FBI Academy and uses a wheelchair to get around, and Tim Stamps, head of the fish, game and agronomy section at the base were also highly ly involved in this effort. The PVA donated $500 and Smitty's Hardware Store in Stafford County matched that amount in free lumber. Volunteers built the stands, which have been increased and improved upon every year since. They also act as hunting partners for the disabled hunters and if they aren't also enjoying themselves, they've fooling me. Some have even indicated to me it adds to their quality of life. The beauty of this program is it fits hand in glove with on going efforts to improve outdoor recreational activities consistent with DOD quality of life program and it includes the disabled with minimal cost. Additionally it doesn't detract from the mission of defending our republic and it fact may add to the intangible by demonstrating to those currently serving on active duty that the uniformed Services do take care of their own. In closing, I would like to thank all who have been involved in the disabled sportsmen's access program at MCB Quantico. The disabled who have been able to take advantage of the program appreciate the individuals who have generously invested extensive effort and time in this successful operation. I also thank you Members of Congress for your time and effort in considering this Bill. I feel sure that after these hearings, you will not find it difficult to write a favorable report. Of course, you know that is what I hope you will decide. Regardless, God Bless you and the United States Of America. STATEMENT OF HARLEY THOMAS, ASSOCIATE LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR, PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA Chairman Saxton and Members of the Subcommittee, on behalf of the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) it is an honor to participate in today's hearing. PVA appreciates this opportunity to express our views on the "Disabled Sportsmen's Access Act." PARTICIPATION IN SPORTS FACILITATES REHABILITATION Over fifty years ago the original founders of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, (PVA) came together in a united front to advocate participation in organized sports as an enhancement to rehabilitation. Veterans suffering traumatic spinal cord injury began playing wheelchair basketball and discovered they didn't have to be spectators, they could participate and in doing so, enhance their quality of life. Today some fifty-one years later, PVA continues to support and promote organized wheelchair sports for disabled veterans. Together with the th the Department of Veterans Affairs, the annual Veterans Wheelchair Ga Games, brings together over 500 of the best wheelchair athletes in the nation for organized competition. This is the largest organized wheelchair-sporting event in the world. Although the veterans wheelchair games is a true success story, it only accommodates a small number of the over 78,000 disabled veterans suffering from traumatic spinal cord injury or dysfunction, and a mere fraction of the estimated 9,000,000 veterans classified as disabled. PVA launched the annual U.S. Open Bass Tournament for disabled anglers in 1987. This event was expanded into the "Bass Trail" which consists of 5 to 6 events annually, in 1994. Each of these exciting events held at various locations around the country, draws between 70-75 disabled anglers. In 1988, PVA launched a Trap Shoot for disabled individuals. This event has prospered over the years and this vear was expanded to five different locations. Each of these events draws from 60-75 participants. The rules for disabled trap shooting are the same as for able-bodied individuals. OUTDOOR RECREATION NUMBER ONE Outdoor recreational facilities and opportunities are extremely important to veterans and all individuals with disabilities. In a 1996 survey conducted by PVA, we found that the number one recreational activity for our members was fishing, followed closely by hunting and all other outdoor recreational activities in general. Unfortunately the numbers of accessible outdoor recreational facilities are extremely limited. Many local municipalities simply do not have the funds available to provide adequate outdoor recreation facilities. The Marine base at Quantico, Virginia has taken steps to ensure accessibility to outdoor recreation facilities by disabled individuals. This program has been extremely successful. Former Marine Larry Gerlach says, "I'm not much of a spectator sports fan, but I really love hunting and fishing. It's more fun doing than watching. The program at Quantico, which allows actual doing, is a godsend. If it can be expanded nationwide, I know it will be enjoyed by many other handicapped individuals who can then enjoy the physical and mental pleasure it offers." This program needs to be expanded nation-wide to all military installations, providing maximum availability of quality outdoor recreation facilities to disabled veterans and other, with disabilities. The enactment of H.R. 2760 can provide a solution to this problem. Most military bases have ongoing outdoor recreation facilities to include fishing, hunting, boating, camping, and many other desirable activities. The Department of Defense is already required to provide access for qualified individuals with disabilities in all of its programs, by virtue of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (38 CFR sections 15.149-150 (1997)). However, full implementation has been hampered by lack of resources. The ability to use volunteers and donations to make recreation areas accessible will greatly increase the implementation of these existing regulations. By making these facilities accessible to disabled veterans, military dependents and other persons with disabilities, they would have access to the over 30,000,000 acres, much of which is prime hunting grounds. Utilization of these facilities can enrich the quality of life for many disabled individuals. Through the use of volunteers and donations of time and materials, costs associated with converting existing outdoor activities to accommodate disabled individuals will be minimal. PVA has a staff of expert architects that are leaders in the field of disability and ADA standards. PVA would be happy to provide technical assistance to any military installation interested in providing accessible outdoor recreation facilities to the disabled community. PVA would like to extend a special "thank you" to Congressman "Duke" Cunningham for his introduction of this vital piece of legislation and the positive impact it will have on the disabled community. Mr. Chairman, PVA urges the passage of H.R. 2760. Thank you for holding this important hearing, it shows your concern for the needs of disabled veterans. Mr. Chairman this concludes my testimony. I will be happy to respond to any questions you or members of the Committee may have. CURRICULUM VITAE OF HARLEY THOMAS Harley is a veteran of twenty years military service in the United States Navy. During his military career, he spent a tour in Japan and Vietnam with Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron One (VQ1). In 1968, Harley served aboard the USS Piedmont in support of fleet operations in Vietnam. Harley spent his final tour in the service with the Defense Communications Agency in Reston, VA, where he retired in February 1976 as a Chief Data Processing Technician. Following his military career, he worked in the computer industry as a senior system analyst until 1996. Harley holds a degree in business from the University of Virginia. He is currently employed by the Paralyzed Veterans of America, as an Associate Legislative Director. INFORMATION REQUIRED BY RULE XI 2(G) (4) OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Pursuant to Rule XI 2(g) (4) of the House of Representatives, the following information is provided regarding Federal grants and contracts. Fiscal Year 1998 General Services Administration-Preparation and presentation of seminars regarding implementation of the Americans With Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. § 12101, and requirements of the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards-$15,000. Department of Veterans Affairs-Donated space for veterans' representation, authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 5902-$243,912* (as of December 31, 1997). Court of Veterans Appeals, administered by the Legal Services Corporation-National Veterans Legal Services Program-$63,656 (as of December 31, 1997). Fiscal Year 1997 Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board-Develop illustrations for an Americans With Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. 12101, technical compliance manual-$10,000. Department of Veterans Affairs-Donated space for veterans' representation, authorized by 38 U.S.C. §5902-$975,651.* Court of Veterans Appeals, administered by the Legal Services Corporation-National Veterans Legal Services Program-$238,307. Fiscal Year 1996 General Services Administration-Preparation and presentation of seminars regarding implementation and the Americans With Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §12101,-$25,000. Federal Elections Commission-Survey accessible polling sites resulting from the enactment of the Voting Access for the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1984, Public Law 98-435-$10,000. Department of Veterans Affairs-Donated space for veterans' representation, authorized by 38 U.S.C. §5902-$897,522.* Court of Veterans Appeals, administered by the Legal Services Corporation-National Veterans Legal Services Program-$200,965. *This space is authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 5902. These figures are estimates derived by calculating square footage and associated utilities costs. It is our belief that this space does not constitute a Federal grant or contract, but is included only for the convenience of the Committee. STATEMENT OF JACK FASCIANA, SAFARI CLUB INTERNATIONAL Mr. Chairman and distinguished members of the Committee, thank you for granting me the opportunity to speak today. I am here to speak in support of H.R. 2760 the "Disabled Sportsmen's Access Act." I am speaking to you from my prospective as a disabled American sportsman who has been fortunate enough to enjoy adventures in our beautiful outdoors. My achievements have been recognized by Safari Club International and I was the first recipient last January of SCI's Special Young Hunter Award. My disability results from the fact that I have an extremely rare progressive neuro-muscular disorder called dystonia which significantly limits my ability to walk and us my hands and arms. Federal lands are part of America's heritage and part of its living legacy to all its citizens, including disabled sportsmen. H.R. 2760 allows a partnership between the Department of Defense and the private sector so that they can join forces to make these Federal lands accessible to people like me. Safari Club International, which has been a leader in providing opportunities to disabled hunters, is an example of a private sector organization that will be an effective partner. The United States leads the nations of the world in making all aspects of life accessible to its disabled citizens. The pilot program at the Quantico Marine Corps Base demonstrates that this concept can work well. I know I am disabled and I know the consequences of my disability. The dedication of my family, especially the dedication and sacrifices of my dad have given me the opportunity not only to enjoy the outdoors but to demonstrate to myself and to my peers that my disability is only an obstacle to be overcome not a barrier to participation. The Disabled Sportsmen's Access Act will make it easier for many disabled Americans to overcome these obstacle and to experience the adventures that I have experienced. I hope you will vote in favor of this legislation and I again offer to you my profound thanks for granting me the opportunity to address the Committee this morning. STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) would like to take this opportunity to express our enthusiastic support for H.R. 2760. This bill is designed to encourage the Department of Defense to provide military installations the support needed to make their public outdoor recreation programs accessible to all Americans with disabilities. H.R. 2760 will extend to military installations the legacy established by many public and private organizations that have successfully operated thousands of hunts and shooting events for citizens with disabilities for almost five decades. To ensure that the full range of outdoor recreation programs is included, we recommend that the bill be amended to add recreational and competitive shooting to the activities listed in the bill as falling within the meaning of "outdoor recreation opportunities." The NRA recognized the importance of including sportsmen and women with disabilities in its hunting and shooting events as early as 1950, which was a full forty years before the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It was in that year that NRA amended its Competitions Rulebook to allow shooting sports competitors with disabilities the opportunity to participate on equal terms with their able-bodied counterparts. As a result, competitors with disabilities have won numerous national, state and regional shooting competition titles. Since World War II, many organizations have created hunting, fishing and shooting opportunities for citizens with disabilities. A number of these opportunities have been offered on military lands such as the hunts conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in which a large percentage of disabled veterans have participated. According to state departments of natural resources that permit sportsmen with mobility impairments to hunt from a motor vehicle, or with a crossbow, there are already over 50,000 disabled veterans and other citizens being served. The pilot programs for serving this population were started many years ago when states began offering disabled veterans free, or reduced, hunting and fishing licenses. A national Disabled Shooting Services office was created by the NRA seven years ago specifically to serve this unique population by providing adaptive equipment design, helping to solve disability-related shooting function problems, and addressing accessibility issues and medical considerations. This office annually responds to over thirty-five hundred calls and letters for guidance. We are proud to say that many of the pioneering disabled hunting and shooting organizations received assistance and guidance from the NRA in the early stages of their development and, as a result, are better equipped to serve our growing populations with disabilities. The Manager of the NRA's Disabled Shooting Services is an expert in the field of disability-related hunting and shooting issues. He presently serves as Chairman of the Shooting Sports for the International Paralympic Committee and is head coach of the U.S. Disabled Shooting Team. This NRA-supported team of disabled marksmen and women travel the world representing the U.S. in international shooting competitions. During the past ten years the team has won 214 medals, and set seven World and sixteen Pan-American records for our nation. We feel that military support for sportsmen and women with disabilities, through passage of H.R. 2760, will be a fitting addition to the hunting and shooting opportunities that are already being provided for disabled veterans and other citizens on military, state and private lands. We would like to make another suggestion with respect to this legislation. If the number of military installations that are willing to make their hunting and shooting opportunities wheelchair accessible should reach a level requiring a director of a military-wide program, we suggest that the Department of Defense select one of the many fine Paralyzed Veterans of America sports directors to the post. The choice of a disabled veteran will visibly demonstrate the military's commitment to making outdoor recreation accessible to the disabled and will reflect well in the eyes of all Americans. Thank you for this opportunity to comment on H.R. 2760. |