III 

117TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 278 

Recognizing the 75th anniversary of United Spinal Association, a leading 

national advocacy organization that is dedicated to promoting the independence and enhancing the quality of life of all people living with 

spinal cord injuries and neurological disorders, including veterans, and 

providing support and information to their loved ones, care providers, 

and personal support networks. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JUNE 17, 2021 

Mr. CASEY (for himself and Mr. MORAN) submitted the following resolution; 

which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the 75th anniversary of United Spinal Association, a leading national advocacy organization that is 

dedicated to promoting the independence and enhancing 

the quality of life of all people living with spinal cord 

injuries and neurological disorders, including veterans, 

and providing support and information to their loved 

ones, care providers, and personal support networks. 

Whereas, in 1946, a group of returning veterans from World 

War II in New York, New York, formed the organization 

now known as United Spinal Association to address the 

needs of paralyzed veterans; 


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Whereas, in 1948, members of this organization advocated 

for and secured the first accessible housing bill in the 

United States (the Act of June 19, 1948 (62 Stat. 500; 

Public Law 80–702)), which provided Federal funds for 

the building of accessible homes for paralyzed veterans; 

Whereas, in 1968, members of this organization advocated 

for the passage of the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 

(42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.), which guarantees equal access 

to federally funded buildings and facilities for wheelchair 

users and all people of the United States with disabilities; 

Whereas, in 1970, James J. Peters, who would later lead 

United Spinal Association, exposed the deplorable conditions that paralyzed Vietnam veterans faced at the Bronx 

Veterans Administration Hospital with an article in 

LIFE magazine, leading the Veterans Administration to 

establish a national spinal cord injury service office to address the needs of paralyzed veterans and the renovation 

of the Bronx Veterans Administration Hospital, which 

was later named for Peters; 

Whereas, in 1985, New York City settled a lawsuit initiated 

by United Spinal Association, agreeing to make all city 

buses, key subway stations and commuter rail stations, 

and all new transit stations accessible to wheelchair 

users, and New York City established a paratransit system for people unable to use mass transit, leading to a 

model that would be incorporated as part of the transportation provisions of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.); 

Whereas, regardless of a person’s level of abilities, United 

Spinal Association seeks to build an inclusive world 

that— 


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(1) removes barriers, particularly for wheelchair 

users; 

(2) embraces the talents of all people with disabilities to achieve their full potential; and 

(3) provides people with disabilities equal opportunities to pursue their interests and dreams; 

Whereas United Spinal Association continues to support and 

advocate on behalf of more than 2,000,000 people in the 

United States living with spinal cord injuries or neurological disorders, as well as veterans, through— 

(1) proven programs and services, and nurturing innovative self-reliance, advocacy, and leadership; 

(2) empowering its members, their loved ones, care 

providers, and stakeholders with resources, one-on-one 

assistance, and peer support; 

(3) promoting independence through employment opportunities and inclusion into mainstream society; and 

(4) advocating for greater disability rights, including 

access to health care, rehabilitation, mobility equipment, 

transportation, community services, and the built environment; and 

Whereas the legacy of James J. Peters, who once described 

the straightforward strategy in advocating for people in 

the United States with disabilities as simply refusing to 

accept no for an answer, is alive and well throughout 

United Spinal Association: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) recognizes that throughout 75 years of serv3 ice, United Spinal Association has made significant 

4 contributions to the lives of people in the United 

5 States with disabilities, including veterans; 


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1 (2) honors United Spinal Association for its 

2 continued role in supporting and advocating for peo3 ple with spinal cord injuries and neurological dis4 orders, as well as all veterans; and 

5 (3) commemorates 2021 as the 75th anniver6 sary of the founding of United Spinal Association. 

Æ 


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