Jay Rockefeller: “I am pleased today to say a few words about the Paralyzed Veterans of America, PVA to those of us who work on veterans…”

“I am pleased today to say a few words about the Paralyzed Veterans of America, PVA to those of us who work on veterans matters, in connection with the organization's PVA Awareness Week, which takes place next week. PVA began in February 1947, when delegates from seven groups of paralyzed veterans from around the country met at the Hines VA Hospital in Chicago, IL. Those veterans agreed to form a national organization to address the needs of spinal cord injured veterans. They believed that veterans with spinal cord injuries would have the strongest voice in speaking for veterans with such injuries and for all who were similarly disabled, a belief that has been borne out over the years. The original members of PVA also emphasized the need both to conduct research to find a cure for spinal cord injury while, at the same time, providing for the basic, immediate needs of spinal cord injured veterans. Since its inception, PVA has dedicated itself to the well being of some of America's most catastrophically disabled veterans as it has developed a unique expertise on a wide variety of issues involving the special needs of its members, veterans of the armed forces who have experienced spinal cord injury, SCI, or dysfunction.”