Bill Text: PA SR158 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commemorating the 31st anniversary of the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, which will be held in the City of Pittsburgh from August 1 through 6, 2011.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2011-06-27 - Introduced and adopted [SR158 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2011-SR158-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 1448
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 158 Session of2011
INTRODUCED BY ORIE, FONTANA, ALLOWAY, BAKER, BOSCOLA, BREWSTER, BROWNE, BRUBAKER, COSTA, DINNIMAN, EARLL, ERICKSON, FARNESE, GREENLEAF, HUGHES, KASUNIC, MENSCH, PILEGGI, PIPPY, RAFFERTY, SOLOBAY, TARTAGLIONE, TOMLINSON, VOGEL, WASHINGTON, WAUGH AND D. WHITE, JUNE 27, 2011
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, JUNE 27, 2011
A RESOLUTION
Commemorating the 31st anniversary of the National Veterans
Wheelchair Games, which will be held in the City of
Pittsburgh from August 1 through 6, 2011.
WHEREAS, The National Veterans Wheelchair Games is a multi-
event sports and rehabilitation program for military service
veterans who use wheelchairs for sports competition due to
spinal cord injuries, amputations or certain neurological
problems; and
WHEREAS, The National Veterans Wheelchair Games are an
outgrowth of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs'
historic involvement in wheelchair sports; and
WHEREAS, The first National Veterans Wheelchair Games were
held in 1981, the "International Year of Disabled Persons," at
the VA Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia; and
WHEREAS, The National Veterans Wheelchair Games, which now
attract more than 500 athletes each year, is the largest annual
wheelchair sports event in the world; and
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WHEREAS, Any honorably discharged veteran who uses a
wheelchair to compete in sports and is eligible for health care
in the VA system can register to compete in the games; and
WHEREAS, Competitive events at the National Veterans
Wheelchair Games include air guns, archery, basketball, bowling,
field events, handcycling, a motorized wheelchair rally, nine-
ball, power soccer, quad rugby, slalom, softball, swimming,
table tennis, track, trapshooting and weightlifting; and
WHEREAS, Athletes compete in all events against others of
similar athletic ability, competitive experience or age; and
WHEREAS, The National Veterans Wheelchair Games provide
opportunities for newly disabled veterans to gain sports skills
and be exposed to other wheelchair athletes and provide a strong
sense of common identity and camaraderie among the participants;
and
WHEREAS, The presenters of this event, the Department of
Veterans Affairs and the Paralyzed Veterans of America, are
committed to improving the quality of life for veterans with
disabilities and fostering better health through sports
competition; and
WHEREAS, The National Veterans Wheelchair Games are hosted by
a VA medical facility and a Paralyzed Veterans of America
chapter; and
WHEREAS, The games would not be possible without corporate
and private sponsors as well as the thousands of volunteers that
help annually; and
WHEREAS, Events will take place at the David L. Lawrence
Convention Center, University of Pittsburgh's Trees Hall,
Princess Lanes Bowling Center and other area venues in and
around the City of Pittsburgh; and
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WHEREAS, The National Veterans Wheelchair Games are free of
charge and the public is welcome to attend; and
WHEREAS, This year's event is being hosted by the Veterans
Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System and the Keystone Chapter of
the Paralyzed Veterans of America; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate commemorate the 31st anniversary of
the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, which will be held in
the City of Pittsburgh from August 1 through 6, 2011.
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